ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College basketball team lost to Cairn University, 71-63, in a Colonial States Athletic Conference tilt on Saturday afternoon at Lees Gymnasium. The win pushes the Highlanders to 3-3 overall (1-1 CSAC) while the Falcons fall to 1-3 overall (0-2 overall).

A close first quarter had Cedar Crest up by two points, 19-17. The Falcons dominated play in the second, outscoring Cairn 18-3 in the frame as Cedar Crest entered the half with a 37-20 advantage. The Highlanders responded in the second half with a 23-11 third quarter and 28-15 fourth to make the score, 71-63.    
Leading the Falcons in scoring was junior Ashley Wilson (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk), dropping a career-high 40 points to go along with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Wilson also went 10-of-15 from the charity stripe. Freshman Rachel Bilger (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Dublin) joined Wilson in double figures with a double-double of 11 points, 10 boards, and six assists. Sophomore Morgan Ritchie (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) added eight points, one rebound, and two assists. Freshman Francess Suah (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution ) tallied two points, a game-high 13 boards, along with one assist, two steals, and two blocks.

Senior Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, N.J.) paced Cairn with 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting while adding two rebounds, three assists, and five steals. Freshman Kailee Sobrino (Vail, Ariz.) was the other Highlander in double figures scoring with 11.

Cedar Crest has two home contests next week, starting with Centenary University (N.J.) on Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. Cairn remains on the road for a conference contest at Clarks Summit University on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

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