New York, NY – Sophomore forward Andrea Buckham (Jamaica, NY/Flushing) pulled down a season high 18 boards and finished with 15 points for her ninth double-double of the season as the Hawks outlast the City College of New York, 64-58 in a key CUNY Athletic Conference matchup Wednesday evening at the Hunter Sportsplex.

The Hawks took control of the game in the first half, running up a nine point lead and a seven point advantage and the conclusion of the first behind play of Buckham who scored ten points and had ten rebounds in a full 20 minutes of action. Freshman guard Michelle Gatti (Brooklyn, NY/Christ the King) also had a strong first half, scoring 11 of her 15 points in the first stanza.

Hunter continued to excel in the opening of the second half, pushing their lead to ten points on a jumper from freshman guard Megan McKenna (Rockaway Beach, NY/Midwood) with 17:36 on the clock. However, CCNY began to catch fire and were able to stifle the Hawks on defense sparking a 20-5 run that put the Beavers up 52-47. Not willing to let this one slide by, the Hawks fought back and regained the lead on a three from the top of the arc from McKenna who would go on to finish with a game high 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

CCNY had three starters finish in double-figures with freshman guard Anika Rivera (Bronx, NY/Msgr. Scanlon) scored a team high 15 points and shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Junior forward Johanna Ortiz (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) added 14 points and eight rebounds, and freshman guard Eve Pattison (New York, NY/The Beacon School) finished with 12 points.

After tonight's victory, Hunter improves to 4-4 in the CUNYAC and move into third place in the North Division and currently have the fourth best conference record of both division combined. They have a big task ahead of them on Friday, when the Bearcats of Baruch College visit the Sportsplex, entering with a 9-0 conference record. Friday's game is set to take place at 7:00 p.m. following the men's game at 5:00 p.m.