BALTIMORE, Md.- The Hunter College women's basketball team saw its historic season come to a close Friday night, falling to nationally ranked Johns Hopkins, 100-59, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament at Goldfarb Gym.
The Hawks entered the national tournament after capturing the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship and finished the season with a 20-8 overall record.
Alexa Charles led Hunter with 24 points while adding five rebounds and nine steals in a relentless effort across 38 minutes. The senior guard consistently attacked the basket and sparked transition opportunities for the Hawks throughout the contest.
Mia Fuller followed with 11 points and a team-high five assists, while Gianna Henriques contributed eight points and seven rebounds in the paint. Ali Drake added six points off the bench, connecting on a pair of three-pointers.
Johns Hopkins jumped out to a strong start, building a 29-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending the margin to 54-20 at halftime.
Hunter continued to compete in the second half, turning in its most productive stretch in the third quarter with 26 points behind aggressive drives from Charles and timely perimeter shooting from Fuller and Drake.
Charles ignited a brief run midway through the third period, converting a fast-break three and finishing multiple drives to the rim as the Hawks pushed the tempo and forced turnovers. Kennedy DeRuy also added a three-pointer during the quarter as Hunter continued to battle on the national stage.
The Hawks finished with 26 points in the paint and forced 14 steals defensively while creating several transition opportunities.
Hunter shot 75 percent from the free-throw line and received contributions across the roster, including a late basket from Emma Tung in the closing minute.
The appearance marked Hunter's return to the NCAA Tournament and capped a memorable season highlighted by a conference championship and one of the program's strongest overall campaigns.
