Langhorne, PA (November 13, 2024) - Seniors Caleb Gibbs and Devin Atkinson, and first-year Jayden Thomas combined for 71 points leading the DeSales University men's basketball team past Cairn University, 96-84, in non-conference action on Wednesday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: DeSales - 96, Cairn - 84
• Records: DeSales (2-0 Overall); Cairn (0-2 Overall)
• This is the first meeting between the two teams since 1978 and improved DSU's all-time record to 8-1 between the two teams.

How it Happened

• This game was back-and-forth over the first 10 minutes as Cairn led by one (19-18) at the 10:53 mark.
• DeSales used an 11-0 run over the next 2:40 with Gibbs, Atkinson, and Thomas accounting for nine of the 11 points to take a 29-19 lead.
• The lead grew to as many as 11 points before the Highlanders finished the half on a 7-2 spurt to trail by just four points (47-43).
• Leading by five (51-46) early in the second-half the Bulldogs took control with an 11-2 run to claim a 62-48 lead at the 13:19 mark with Gibbs leading the way with six of the 11 points.
• Cairn cut the margin down to nine points (66-57) at the 10:46 mark when first-year Luke Keppel sparked an 11-2 run pushing the lead to 18 points (77-59) with 7:06 to go.
• The Highlanders kept chipping away the margin the rest of the way and got within seven at the 1:24 mark, but DSU hit 9-for-9 from the charity stripe over the last minute to ice the win.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Gibbs posted his first double-double of the season, besting his career-high for the second straight game with 28 points and 12 rebounds.  He was 14-for-17 from the free throw line, totaling the second most made three throws in a game in team history.
• Atkinson also reached a new career-high with 23 points, adding nine rebounds and four assists.
• Thomas bested his season-high with 20 points and also had nine rebounds.
• Keppel came off the bench to score eight points.

For the Foes

• Cairn had five players in double figures including Isaiah Coleman with 17 points.
• Jaylon Simpson finished with 16 points, Christian Rivera had 11 points, and Ashton West and Jonathan Desir each had 10 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales broke the team record for free throws in a game making 38 and attempted the fifth most freebies in a game (44).
• The Bulldogs shot 47.4 percent from the floor and 86.4 percent from the charity stripe.
• DSU owned the glass, out-rebounding Cairn, 44-25, and holding an 18-7 advantage in second chance points.

Up Next

• DeSales is back in action on Saturday when they travel to Montclair State University for another non-conference game beginning at 3:00 pm.