Newburgh, NY - The men's basketball team took on the Knights of Mount Saint Mary's College earlier this evening in a non-conference contest. Despite being within a bucket of the hosts in the final minutes of the home stretch, the Hawks were unable to pull within reach as they fell by a score of 61-56.

Hunter (2-3) had seven different players score as George Keener led the way with 14 points, nine boards and five steals while Danny Fusco added 12 points. Gio Gabbidon shot .500 from the field and chipped in 9 points while both Karon Blackwell and Melvin Collins added eight points apiece. Abraham Rosow pulled down a game high 12 rebounds. Despite the Purple and Gold leading the hosts in field goals and three pointers, the Knights (2-0) ultimately won the game on free throws, making 16 of their 23 attempts at the line while the Hawks only sunk four of their seven trips to the charity stripe.

The Purple and Gold found themselves down 13-4 early in the game but pulled within three after a made trey from Collins. Through the opening 13 minutes, Hunter's offense was unable to hit their rhythm, but found their stride after James Blair knocked down a three pointer to inject life into his team. Over the final 6:28, Fusco accounted for 10 of Hunter's final 15 points as they went 6-13 from the field. Despite the effort, they found themselves down 35-27 at the half.

Blackwell ignited his team in the second after knocking down a jumper to spark an 11-1 run which was capped with a Collins bucket, giving Hunter their first lead of the game at 38-36. With 5:21 remaining, the game was knotted at 49 all. However, over the final minutes, the hosts took 11 trips to the free throw line and sunk nine of them and wound up outscoring the visitors by six points to ultimately seal the deal and serve Hunter their third loss of the year.

The men's basketball program returns to action on Friday, November 30 when they open up CUNYAC play with a game at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY. Tip off is slated for 8pm.