New York, N.Y.- The Hunter College women's basketball team hosted John Jay in the Hunter Sportsplex on Friday evening. The Hawks (5-9, 1-2 CUNYAC) were edged out by John Jay (7-6, 1-1 CUNYAC) 65-63 in the conference match up.

The Bloodhounds jumped out to a quick lead in the first quarter leaving Hunter trailing 20-7, but the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run to start the second quarter cutting the lead to just four as Makkedah Murray sank a pair of free throws with 5:35 on the clock. John Jay regained the lead shortly after but the Purple and Gold kept in within single digits to go into halftime down 35-28, aided by a pair of back-to-back threes from Erin Cosio with under two minutes left.

Katie Burke sank a three to start the third quarter, followed by a fastbreak jumper by Kennedy DeRuy, to bring the Hawks within two, the closest since the opening minutes of play for the night. Following a steal by Murray, Alexa Charles netted one in the paint to tie up the game at 37-37. Another jumper by Charles with 4:30 left in the quarter gave Hunter its first lead of the night. The two teams battled closely in the final minutes of the quarter, as the teams entered the final period of play tied at 46-46. John Jay opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run but threes from Cosio and DeRuy quickly closed the gap. The pattern continued with the visitors taking up to six point leads two more times but Hunter continued fighting as was able to comeback each time. A bucket from Charles with 22 seconds remaining put Hunter within two, despite a steal from DeRuy, the Hawks were unable to convert on the final possession, and fell 65-63 to the Bloodhounds. 

Alexa Charles led all scorers with 22 points while grabbing 16 rebounds for yet another double-double performance, including 10 offensive boards. Cosio also scored in double-digits for the night with 15 points. Burke made an impact with eight points and eight rebounds in addition to three blocks. 

As a team the Hawks forced 17 turnovers, aided by nine steals, five of which came from Charles. Hunter converted those turnovers for 13 points, while the Bloodhounds forced just 13, scoring 12 points off of Hunter's missteps. The Hawks' bench made significant contributions with 15 points between Murray and DeRuy, while John Jay's starters were responsible for all but four tallies. 

The Hawks return to the court on Wednesday Jan. 10 as they travel to Brooklyn College for a 5:00 pm tip.