Kings Point, N.Y. - Despite a game-high 16 points from George Keener, the Hunter College men's basketball team dropped a 56-45 decision in the season opener at the United States Merchant Marine Academy Monday evening.

Keener led the Hawks (0-1) with 16, although only shooting 3-for-11 from the field was a perfect 8-8 at the free point line. Gio Gabbidon was also responsible for a double-digit performance, nearly accounting for a double-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals. The Mariners (1-0) used 28 points in each half en route to the 11-point victory, with the help of three different players in double-figures. 

The home team jumped out to a 10-point lead after the same amount of time into the opening half, using a seven-point run to lead by as many as 13 points. The duo of Keener and Gabbidon staged a comeback in the closing 7:35, cutting the host lead single digits as the latter knocked down a three-pointer as the first half expired to trail by one.   

The Hawks' first lead of the contest came after the break, when Jonah Bevacqua drained a shot from beyond the arc to make it 30-28 in favor of the visitors. After a scoring drought for over two minutes from both sides, Luka Jakic collected a tip-in to regain the lead for Hunter at 10:29. From then on, the visitors struggled, as the Mariners held their opponents to single digits over the remaining five minutes as they staged a 14-2 run after the 3:53 mark to gain a double-digit advantage en route to the 11-point win. 

The team prepares for a weekend in Rochester, N.Y. as they compete against Nazareth College on Friday, Nov. 15. Opening tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.