New York, NY – Junior guard Shamar Stewartson (Springfield Gardens, NY/Far Rockaway) scored a game high 16 points along with six assists and six steals to lead the Hawks to a 70-51 victory over Lasell College in the opening round of the 2009-10 Hunter Tip-Off Tournament on Friday night at the Hunter Sportsplex.

Senior center Juanita Whyms (Far Rockaway, NY/Stella Maris) scored the first basket of the game at 18:08 to give her team a lead that they would never relinquish. Later in the half, senior guard Shay Branch El-Vielot (Cambria Heights, NY/Canarsie) would complete the conventional three-point play to extend Hunter's lead to 14 points with 5:16 left in the first half.

Lasell then came out strong, starting the second half with a 14-8 run to cut the lead to just three points. However, the Hawks never let up their lead and regained control following an 8-0 run.

Whyms would end up finishing with 12 points and a game high 19 rebounds. Branch El-Vielot had a double-double of her own with 11 points and ten boards, and junior guard Megan McKenna (Rockaway, NY/Midwood) scored a quiet 14 points and had four steals.

For the Lasers, junior guard Katie Farr finished with a team high 12 points and four assists, followed by senior forward Tricia Culver with eight points and freshman forward Kim Archibald had a team high ten rebounds.

Hunter, now 1-1 on the year, will face Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday for the championship game of the tournament at 1:00 p.m.. The Battling Bishops outlasted Centenary College 91-87 in overtime to advance. Saturday's consolation game will feature Lasell taking on Centenary at 11:00 a.m.