New York, N.Y.- The Hunter College women's basketball team defeated fourth seeded Lehman College, 77-56, in the opening round of the CUNYAC postseason tournament. With the win, the Hawks move to the semifinals on Feb. 20th where they will face off against no. 1 Brooklyn College.

Hunter quickly established a double-digit lead in the opening quarter of play, just five minutes in. The Lightening were able to cut the lead to single digits with under two minutes to go but Hunter remained on top and finished out the first period with a 26-16 lead with four points from Kennedy DeRuy. The Hawks continued their dominance through the second quarter, outscoring Lehman 14-5 for the remainder of the half as the two teams headed into the intermission with the Purple and Gold leading 40-19.

The Lightening came out more energized in the second half netting 17 points but Hunter easily matched their pace, going up by as much as 27 after DeRuy netted one from beyond the arc with 2:59 to go as the Hawks maintained their substantial 21 point lead heading into the final quarter of play.

The final quarter of play started quietly with over a minute and a half slipping away before Lehman hit a three for the first points in the period. Hunter responded with a 6-0 run led by four points and a steal from sophomore, Alexa Charles. The Lightening came within 17 with under two minutes to go before the Hawks defense shut their opponent down for the remainder of the game, to take a 21 point victory home and continue their postseason run.

Charles led all scorers for the night, with a double-double performance of 24 points and 12 rebounds. She also led both reams in steals with eight in addition to two blocks. Eliah Yode also logged a double-double, her second this season, with 14 points and 14 rebounds, in addition to grabbing five assists. Erin Cosio also scored in double-digits with 16 points coupled with four steals and four assists. DeRuy led the bench with nine points, while Katie Burke and Nina Hennessy each added seven.

Overall, the Hawks shot 44.3% from the field. 33.3% from three-point range, and 80% from the line, while limiting Lehman to 38% overall (25% 3PT, 75% FT). 

Hunter continues its postseason run on Feb. 20 as they take on top-seeded Brooklyn College.