Norton, Mass.- The Hunter College men's basketball team opened up its 2022-23 season on the road against Worcester State University on Friday evening at the Wheaton College Tip-off Classic. The Hawks fell to the Lancers 111-94.

Hunter returned to court following a historic season in which the team ranked top-three nationally in in 14 categories including no. 1 in turnovers forced, steals per game, total steals, offensive rebounds, free throw attempts, total rebounds and rebounds per game. 

Hunter got off to a slow start in the first half, as they were outscored 58-39. Early in the second period, Hunter was able to diminish the Lancer's lead to 15, after Devon Mattews and Cormac Reilly netted back-to-back threes. Reilly comes off an impressive season in which he was ranked no. 1 in three point attempts and no. 7 in three pointers made across the nation.

Despite an impressive 22 point game from returner, Luka Jakic and double-digit games from Matthews, Gene Propper, and Ernie Parada, Worcester proved too much for the Hawks to overcome and they ultimately fell, 111-94. Ryan Lau also had an impressive performance, with nine robounds and nine points.

The Hawks continued their trademark fast-paced play, out performing their opponent with 47 points off the bench and 32 points off of turnovers. Hunter shot 10-37 from beyong the arc, with Matthews leading the team with three, and went 35-90 from the field.

Hunter returns to the court on Sat. Nov 12th at 3:00 pm against Regis as the Wheaton College Tip-off Classic continues.