New York, N.Y. - Hunter College women's basketball dropped just its second game of the season on Tuesday night, falling short against New York University with a score of 71-59.

The Hawks drop to 7-2 overall this season while remaining 3-0 in CUNYAC play. The Violets improved their record to 5-4.

Hunter earned a lead in the first quarter when they went on an 11-0 run, featuring points from Christine Patterson, Theresa Leung, Ashley Arias, Jade Aponte and Phoebe Valenton. The Hawks ended the first with a 15-11 lead.

The Violets quickly tied it up in the second quarter then pulled ahead by double-digits to make the score 33-21 at the half. 

Five straight points from Aponte to begin the third quarter sparked the Purple and Gold to go on a run. Arias, Leung and Patterson all contributed to Hunter's comeback, while a three-pointer from Aponte helped the Hawks trail by just two points at the 5:10 minute mark in the third. NYU found points in the remaining minutes, but the Hawks managed to hold on, falling behind by just seven points to start the fourth quarter.

The Violets earned a 13 point lead just three minutes into the fourth quarter, but the Hawks weren't finished, cutting the NYU lead to five points off a layup from Marlena Budna with 3:11 to play. NYU responded by hitting shots and the Hawks were forced to foul in the final minute as the Violets took the game, 71-59.

Patterson hit seven field goals to lead the Hawks with 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Aponte followed with 16 points, while Leung chipped in eight points and four steals in the loss.

The team returns to action on December 29 when they travel to a tournament at Bowdoin College.