New York, NY - On Tuesday evening, the women's basketball team hosted the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island in their CUNYAC opener at the Sportsplex. After a slow start in the first, the Hawks picked up momentum in the final three quarters but were unable to close the gap. The 73-57 loss drops Hunter to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in CUNYAC play.

Freshman Christine Patterson led a trio of Hawks in double-digit scoring with 13 points and nine rebounds. Wedly Couloute posted her second double-double of the year with a 12 point, 12 rebound effort while Ashley Yu tallied 11 points. Ayanna Hudson was a presence in the paint with 11 rebounds, seven points and six blocks.

As a team, the Purple and Gold shot nearly 32 percent from the floor and 66.7% from the charity stripe. They were physical down low as proven by 26 points in the paint, tallying nine blocks and winning the battle on the boards by out-rebounding Staten Island, 47-44.

Hunter was slow to find their stride, missing 12 shots from the floor and turning the ball over eight times in just the first quarter alone and finding themselves in a 15-point deficit after the opening 10 minutes. The deficit grew to as much as 21 in the second, but shrunk to 14 after an eight to two run in the early stages of the third quarter. However, heading into the final 10 minutes with an 18 point climb, the Hawks were unable to forge enough momentum to mount a comeback, ultimately falling 73-57.

Hunter returns to action on Friday, December 4 when they host Baruch College on their home court at 5:30 pm in front of the Homecoming crowd.