NEW YORK, NY - The Hunter College women's basketball team was defeated by Rutgers-Newark, 71-45.

Nicole Lenard led the Hawks with 15 points, as Megan McKenna added nine and Myra Molina added eight.

The Scarlet Raiders shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half (16-32) to post a 36-14 halftime lead. Overcoming a 30 percent first half shooting effort (6-20), Hunter shot 52 percent in the second half (12-23) but could not get any closer than their 22-point first half deficit.

After the Scarlet Knights scored the first basket of the game, the Hawks battled back and took a 10-9 lead at the 13:30 mark. Lenard was fouled while making a lay-up and made the subsequent free throw. But Rutgers-Newark pulled away after that, going on a 27-4 run to end the half.

The Scarlet Raiders capitalized on 20 Hawks turnovers, scoring 21 of their first half points from them.

Hunter (3-6, 2-0 CUNYAC) will be back in action on Thursday, December 29th when they host the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 6:00pm in the Hunter Sportsplex.