BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Hunter College women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 68-54 setback at Brooklyn on Tuesday night at the West Quad Center, but still locked up the No. 2 seed in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) postseason tournament. With the placement, the Hawks earned a first-round bye and will host a semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m., facing the winner of the No. 3 Lehman vs. No. 6 CCNY quarterfinal.
Hunter (18-7, 11-3 CUNYAC) stayed within striking distance throughout and entered the fourth quarter down just one, before Brooklyn's late run created separation in the final 10 minutes.
Alexa Charles led the Hawks with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting, adding 10 rebounds and five steals in 36 minutes. Makkedah Murray finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Kennedy DeRuy scored eight points and hit a pair of 3-pointers. Gianna Henriques added six points and eight rebounds, and Mia Fuller had four points with three assists.
Hunter came out with energy on both ends, forcing early turnovers and building an early lead as Fuller scored the first basket and Charles followed with a pull-up jumper to make it 4-0. The Hawks continued to create chances defensively, but Brooklyn answered with a run to move in front, and Hunter trailed 15-10 after one quarter.
The Hawks responded in the second with improved offensive rhythm and steady defensive pressure. Charles pushed the pace and finished in transition, while DeRuy helped close the gap from the perimeter. Hunter outscored Brooklyn 18-17 in the quarter to cut the deficit to 32-28 at halftime.
Hunter carried that momentum into the third and made its push. DeRuy's 3-pointer tied the game at 35-35 midway through the period, and the Hawks briefly moved ahead behind a Charles jumper and another DeRuy triple. Hunter remained composed as the game seesawed late, and the Hawks went to the fourth trailing 44-43 after three.
In the final quarter, Hunter continued to battle on the glass and generate second-chance looks, but struggled to find consistent finishes as Brooklyn stretched the margin at the free-throw line. The Hawks scored 10 points in the fourth and couldn't close the gap in the closing minutes.
Hunter shot 20-for-57 from the field (35.1%), went 4-for-19 from 3-point range, and finished 10-for-20 at the foul line. The Hawks won the rebounding battle 42-48 and produced 14 second-chance points, while also forcing turnovers that led to 20 points.
Hunter will now turn its attention to the CUNYAC postseason, returning to the Sportsplex on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. for its semifinal matchup.
