IMMACULATA, Pa. - Jordan Ambrose and Mike Piekarski each went for 27 points to lead the Immaculata men's basketball team to its sixth-straight victory Wednesday night over visiting Cairn, 89-81. The Macs move to 9-6 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play with the win, and are now tied for fourth in the conference standings following a Rosemont loss this evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Macs came out of the gates in a big way Wednesday night, building a seven-point lead in the first four-plus minutes on threes from Piekarski and Matt Krewson along with a pair of Josh Singleton jumpers.
-Cairn would battle back to take its first lead of the game at the 10:54 mark of the first half, which set off seven lead changes over the next four minutes.
-The Highlanders continued to convert on the next several possessions, resulting in a three-point lead at the half.
-The Macs stormed out of the break with a 6-0 run to regain the lead, capped by an Ambrose three, and went on a tear from there - extending their lead all the way to 12 by the 13:34 mark of the final period.
-The Macs would lead by double figures for the next six-plus minutes, due in large part to a 50 percent (19-of-38) shooting effort in the second half alone.
-Cairn would get within five with under a minute to play, but the Macs took care of the ball and an Ambrose three paired with a couple of Brandon McCullough free throws sealed the Macs' fifth-straight win.
-Ambrose scored 22 of his 27 in the second half alone, shooting 9-of-13 from the field including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

KEY TEAM STATS
-IU shot 34-of-76 (44.7%) from the field on the night, but Cairn was a touch better at 30-of-66 (45.5%).
-Immaculata shot an even 50 percent (19-of-38) from the floor in the second half, while holding the Highlanders to just 38.2 percent (13-of-34).
-The Macs put together a 10-of-24 (41.7%) night from beyond the arc, while holding the Highlanders to 10-of-26 (38.5%).
-IU made the most of its chances at the line, converting on 11-of-14 (78.6%) of its free throws.
-Immaculata owned the advantage on the boards, 43-40.
-The Macs forced Cairn into 14 turnovers and turned the ball over only seven times on the night. IU also had ten steals compared to Cairn's four.

KEY INDIVIDUAL STATS
-IU Point Leaders: Ambrose and Piekarski 27, Singleton and McCullough 8
-IU Rebound Leaders: Piekarski 9, Ambrose 6, Chapman 5
-IU Assist Leaders: Chapman 7, Piekarski, Krewson and McCullough 4

UP NEXT
Immaculata (13-9, 9-6 CSAC) goes for its sixth-consecutive win Saturday against Keystone at Alumnae Hall. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m.