New York, N.Y.- The Hunter College men's basketball team delivered a spirited performance but ultimately fell 74-67 to Rutgers-Camden in a closely contested game at the Sportsplex. Sal Saputo shone brightly, registering a stellar double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds, accounting for a significant portion of Hunter's scoring and rebounding efforts.
The Hawks (1-4) trailed 34-29 at halftime, with Saputo already asserting himself as the team's leader. He scored 13 points in the first half, including a pair of three-pointers, and pulled down six rebounds, providing a crucial defensive presence. Enzo Caceres-Roussel added a much-needed scoring punch in the first half, contributing seven points and knocking down all four of his free throws. However, Hunter was still unable to take control ahead of the intermission.
In the second half, Saputo stepped up further, adding 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds as the Hawks tried to mount a comeback. Caceres-Roussel continued to contribute, finishing the game with 12 points and three assists. Donovon Cola made key plays in limited minutes, adding seven points and securing two rebounds, while Kevin Caminero energized the team off the bench with seven points and two steals.
While Saputo led the way, the rest of the Hawks struggled to find offensive rhythm. The team shot just 37.3% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc for the game. Missed free throws—Hunter shot 68.2% from the stripe, compared to Rutgers-Camden's nearly perfect 92.9%—proved costly in a game decided by seven points.Defensively, Hunter was active, forcing 16 turnovers and recording 10 steals, with Saputo, Caminero, and Jayden Jarret combining for seven of those takeaways. However, the Scarlet Raptors' ability to convert on second-chance points (12) and their bench outscoring Hunter's reserves 18-4 highlighted areas for improvement.
The game featured six lead changes and five ties, but Rutgers-Camden pulled away late, extending their lead to as many as 14 points in the second half. Despite a valiant effort to close the gap, including clutch plays from Saputo and Caminero in the final minutes, Hunter couldn't capitalize on crucial possessions down the stretch.
Hunter returns to the court on Nov. 26 as they host New Paltz in the Sportsplex at 6:00 p.m.
