Newark, NJ – The Hawks front line consisting of juniors Michael Dodd (Jamaica, NY/Hillcrest), Joseph DeLuca (Maspeth, NY/Christ the King) and Frantz Millien (Rockland, NY/North Rockland) combined for 56 of the team's 68 points, but a second half surge by the Scarlet Raiders would carry them to an 82-68 victory over Hunter in non-conference men's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the Golden Dome in Newark, NJ.

Returning to action following a two week hiatus during the holiday break, the Hawks struggled in the opening minutes, falling behind 5-0 before DeLuca sparked a 10-0 run that would force the Scarlet Raiders to take a 30 second timeout. Hunter would push their lead to 8 points, 20-12, before the Scarlet Raiders would answer with a 12-7 run that tied the game at 27-27 with 5:19 left in the half.

After falling down by four, the Hawks closed out the half with six unanswered points including a Millien jumper with two seconds left to give Hunter a 39-37 lead heading into the intermission.

Rutgers-Newark opened up the second with gusto, catching the Hawks off guard with five unanswered points to take a 47-42 lead. Hunter answered back with a small run of their own, capped off by junior guard Lance Evans (Brooklyn, NY/East Hampton) who gave the Hawks a 54-53 lead with 11:24 left.

After falling down by as many as ten points, a three pointer by Dodd with 5:09 left trimmed the lead to 68-64 before Rutgers closed out the game with a 14-4 run. Dodd finished with a game high 22 points, while DeLuca added 19 points and Millien dropped 15 points and a game high 13 rebounds. Junior forward David Cherry (Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic HS) led the Scarlet Raiders with 20 points, 14 in the second half.

Today's loss ends a four game win streak for the Hawks who are now 5-4 on the season, while Rutgers-Newark improves to 6-4 overall. Hunter returns to action on Thursday, January 3 when they take on Lehman College in a key conference matchup at 6:00 p.m. at the APEX in the Bronx, NY.