Our Men's team had a tough conference matchup against Cairn University Saturday night. The game from start to finish was nothing short of amazing, teeth gritting action. Eventually taking the game from Cairn's grip in a tight finish, 81-79.

Valley Forge took the early lead, being up by as many as eight points in the game's first five minutes. Four consecutive free throws by Forward Isaiah Reece led the early push. Along with multiple layups by Keyshawn Kennedy and Dashawn Goodine. Cairn battled back, eventually tying it up at 29 apiece with three minutes left in the first half. Ending the first half, Cairn had a 5 point lead in a 42-37 game. Keyshawn Kennedy finished the half with 14 points, followed by Isaiah Reece with 10 of his own.

Down by 5 going into the 2nd half, Valley Forge found life. Dashawn Goodine grabbed the first points of the half with a running layup about two minutes in. Cairn answered back with a layup by forward Owen Bradford to bring the score to 44-39. This back and forth battle kept going for the next few minutes until UVF was able to take the 47-46 lead on yet another layup by Dashawn Goodine. Eventually able to pull away yet again to take an eight point lead on multiple key turnovers by Cairn. Cairn (10-6) is known for battling hard in each of their games, so it was no surprise to see them battle back and eventually take the lead 62-60 with ten and a half minutes to go. This game became a fight to the finish with answers for each basket made. When we came within a point or two, Cairn scored a basket of their own. UVF took the lead 77-76 on a clutch Nasir Bernard free throw with a minute and thirty-two seconds left on the clock. That lead quickly went away when Cairn scored a layup with a minute and fifteen seconds left. Then, Isaiah Reece came right back twenty seconds later with a layup of his own to retake the lead once again. This time for good. Keyshawn Kennedy was fouled near the very end and made both his free throws to seal the deal. It was a fantastic game throughout, with each team battling hard in an electric environment!

Keyshawn Kennedy led the way with 27 points on 9 for 16 from the field and 9 for 13 from the free throw line. Isaiah Reece followed that with 17 points of his own. Dashawn Goodine followed that with 13. UVF led the way with points off turnovers 24-18 and points in the paint 42-36. Also shooting 45% as a team from the field.

Our Men are set to go to battle on the road against Notre Dame University of Maryland on Tuesday, January 23rd.