ANNVILLE, PA – Men's Basketball had a powerful second half in their first win over Lebanon Valley College in program history, 64-54, on Wednesday night.
 
Graduate guards Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) and Chris Hill (Charlotte, NC / St. Augustine's University) got things started for the Highlanders as Lebanon Valley (1-2 / MAC FREEDOM) dropped a three to get the scoring going on their end. Fifth year guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) splashed a three to keep things close before the Dutchmen went ahead by five. Simpson and graduate guard Byron Gaskins (Woodbridge, VA / Carlow University) hit threes to give Cairn (4-1 / UNITED EAST) a narrow lead on back-to-back possessions.
 
As momentum tried to swing back to the hosts, graduate guard Corey Baldwin (Henderson, NC / Averett) scored his 1,000^th career point on a three, following up with a mid-range jumper and layup to put his team up by one. Simpson made a jumper at the horn to end the half with Cairn ahead 26-23.
 
Out of the break, Simpson wasted no time to keep the scoring flowing, hitting a three on the Highlanders' first possession of the half as well as one three minutes later to amass their first double-digit lead of the night. Gaskins got a layup before Simpson hit for three again while Lebanon Valley inched closed with a four-point deficit. Simpson and Gaskins continued their offensive work, keeping Cairn in control as Baldwin extended the lead to nine with a pair of threes of his own. Gaskins and Simpson each hit another three, pushing the pace to a twelve-point lead, 58-46, with under four minutes to play. Senior forward Andre Burrell, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA / Burlington Co. Tech) scored the final bucket for Cairn as the Highlanders won 54-54.
 
Simpson set a new career-high with 28 points, shooting 5-8 from three-point range and grabbing four rebounds. Baldwin had 13 points, including his 1,000^th, along with 8 rebounds. Gaskins recorded a double-double of 12 points and an even ten rebounds, dishing out a team-high four assists.
 
The Highlanders will return home for the Holliday, hosting Centenary on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.