BOX SCORE

NEW YORK, NY – The Hunter Hawks men's basketball team lost a nail-biter 56-53 on Monday night to the Manhattanville College Valiants. The loss drops the Hawks to 3-4 on the season.
 
The Hawks fell behind early in the first half trailing 13-7 with 12:40 remaining but would then go on a 12-0 run to take a 19-13 lead with just under six minutes remaining until halftime. The Hawks would build their lead to as big as nine points after a three-pointer by Lester Anim and would enter halftime leading 27-20. The Hawks held Manhattanville to 40% shooting in the first half and took advantage of some hot outside shooting going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
 
In the second half, the Hawks were unable to slow down the Valiants who shot 54% from the field in the final period. For the final 14 minutes of the game, no team was able to get a lead larger than three points.
 
The Valiants took a three point lead with 2:42 remaining on a jumper by Anthony Maestre, the Hawks would respond with a jumper by Brian Kruger to make the score 52-51 Manhattanville. The Hawks would take a 53-52 lead after Kruger sank two free throws. The Valiants would re-take the lead when Maestre made his two free throws. A late turnover by the Hawks gave the Valients another chance at the free throw line and Maestre made both giving the Manhattanville a 56-53 lead, Maestre finished with 11 points. Kruger's desperation heave from 70 feet would hit the backboard as time expired securing the Valiants victory.
 
Kruger led the Hawks with a game-high 19 points, he also had four assists and three rebounds. Anim chipped in with 16 points and six rebounds while Robert Borusiewicz had 12 points and 14 rebounds.
 
The Hawks return to action Friday night when they host rival Baruch College at 8:30pm. Friday is Homecoming 2014 with events beginning in the Sportsplex at 3:30pm.