New York, NY – Juniors Joseph DeLuca (Maspeth, NY/Christ the King) and Frantz Millien (Rockland, NY/North Rockland) each scored a game high 24 points and shot a combined 13-of-14 from the free-throw line to lead the Hawks of Hunter College over the Bearcats of Baruch College, 93-80, to take sole possession of first place in the CUNY Athletic Conference men's basketball North Division.

Hunter opened the game in typical fashion, struggling in the opening minutes and falling behind early, in this case trailing 14-5 midway through the first half. However, they continued their trend of making a late run and evaporating Baruch's lead and turning it into a 46-33 advantage heading into the second half. DeLuca led all scorers at the half with 15 points.

After trailing by 16, Baruch made a comeback behind the play of junior forward Mike Dietz (Queens, NY/Archbishop Molloy) and were able to cut the lead to just four points with 9:28 left in the game. However, their efforts would be stalled by junior forward Michael Dodd (Jamaica, NY/Hillcrest) who ignited a 12-2 Hunter run, draining three straight shots from downtown. Dodd would go onto finish the game with 12 points and six rebounds. Millien then sealed the Bearcats fate with a one-handed jam, putting Hunter up 93-80 with 45 seconds left on the game clock.

The Hawks spread out their scoring, with DeLuca and Millen leading the way, followed by senior guard Marlon Smith (Bronx, NY/Archbishop Molloy) who had 15 points, senior guard Gerard Ciarleglio (Bradenton, FL/Cardinal Mooney) with 14 points and Dodd's 12 points. Millien also recorded his fourth double-double of the season, pulling down 13 boards.

The Bearcats also spread out their scoring, with five players finishing in double-digits led by senior guard Adrian Serrano (Brooklyn, NY/Christ the King) who shot 5-of-7 from beyond the arc for 17 points. Freshman guard Tammer Farid (Woodside, NY/Stuyvesant) and senior center Phil Schatz (Middle Village, NY/Archbishop Molloy) each added 14 points and were Baruch's leaders in the first half, scoring 11 and 10 respectively.

The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, when they host the defending CUNYAC Champion York College in the second game of a men's and women's doubleheader. The men's game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. following the women's game which tip-offs at 5:00 p.m.