Boston, Mass.- The Hunter College women's basketball team battled hard in the first day of the Emmanual College Tip-off Tournament, but fell short against the hosts, 65-50, on the first day of the tournament.

Despite the loss, the Hawks (1-2) showcased remarkable resilience and some standout individual efforts against Emmanuel (1-0).

Leading the charge for Hunter was Alexa Charles, who poured in a game-high 28 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field and an impressive 14-of-16 from the free-throw line. Charles was a force offensively, finding her way to the line repeatedly and keeping the Purple and Gold within striking distance. She also contributed four steals, showcasing her skill on both ends of the floor.

Eliah Yode made a significant impact in a different way, providing crucial defense and hustle. Yode not only tallied 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting but was a defensive stalwart, drawing an impressive four charges. Her willingness to sacrifice her body for the team served as a rallying point, and her energy was palpable throughout her 27 minutes on the court. Additionally, Yode chipped in two steals, highlighting her all-around defensive prowess.

Gianna Henriques anchored Hunter on the glass, grabbing six rebounds, while Katie Burke added five boards of her own and converted two critical free throws to help steady the team. 

Despite Hunter's struggles, the team excelled at getting to the free-throw line, converting 23 of 32 attempts (71.9%). Their defensive pressure also forced 16 turnovers, contributing to their 12 total steals.

The Hawks look to garner a win on the second day of the tournament, as they face off against Lebanon Valley College at 1:00 p.m. in the consolation game in the Jean Yawkey Center.