New York, N.Y.- The Hunter College women's basketball team outlasted Yeshiva University in a 62-57 victory Thursday night at the ARC Arena. Despite a fourth-quarter surge from Yeshiva, the Hawks leaned on a commanding first half and standout performances from key players to secure their fifth win of the season as they improve to 5-3 overall, while Yeshiva sits at 0-10.
Hunter set the tone early, jumping out to an 18-13 lead in the first quarter, fueled by Alexa Charles' dynamic scoring. Charles finished the game with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including a crucial three-pointer to close out the opening period. Katie Burke added nine rebounds and 13 points, showcasing her dominance on the boards and in transition.
The Hawks extended their lead in the second quarter, outscoring Yeshiva 24-10. Gianna Henriques' inside presence contributed seven points and seven rebounds, while Kennedy DeRuy provided a spark off the bench. DeRuy recorded with seven points and led the team with 12 rebounds, tying her career-record. Hunter entered halftime with a comfortable 42-23 advantage, bolstered by sharp ball movement and defensive intensity.
Hunter maintained control in the third quarter, thanks to consistent efforts from Charles and Burke but the fourth quarter saw Yeshiva make an aggressive push. The Macabees' were about to come within five points in the final minute, but the Purple and Gold's unmatched precision in the first 30 minutes of play in tandem with clutch free-throw shooting allowed them to hold on for the win.
Key contributions from Erin Cosio, who dished out five assists and recorded three steals, underscored Hunter's collaborative effort on both ends of the court. While Hunter's shooting percentages were modest, their dominance on the boards, with a 46-41 rebounding edge, proved to be the difference in the tightly contested game. The Hawks struggled to convert from beyond the arc, but they compensated with aggressive play in the paint, scoring 34 points inside. Eliah Yode contributed a perfect 5-for-6 effort from the free-throw line, keeping Hunter's offense steady.
The Hawks take a hiatus as the semester comes to a close and will return to the court on Dec. 30 as they host Elmira at 2:00 p.m in Hunter's final game before the new calander year.
