Lehman (10-7 overall/5-3 CUNY) start the game with a bang, jumping on the Hawks with a 21-4 run to start the game. A comfortable lead would not be today, as the Hawks used a 27-7 run of their own to go into the halftime with a 31-28 lead.
Hunter (9-9 overall/5-2 CUNY) started the half with a three-point basket by Krystin Suarez (15 points) to give the Hawks their largest lead of six points. After swapping baskets, Lehman used an intense pressure defense to stymie the Hunter offense, and regain momentum and the lead. Lehman held a 57-52 lead before two costly turnovers, and a basket by Brittany Jackolski cut the Lehman lead to one.
The senior Santiago then went on the charity stripe, where she converted on 8-8 free throws to secure the three point win for the Lightning.
Rookie of the Year candidate Andrea Buckham finished with 16 points to go along with 15 rebounds, while Caitlin McDougal finished with 11 points for Hunter.
Up next for Lehman is a pair of road contest as the Lightning travel to St. Elizabeth's on Monday, and then to NJAC power William Paterson on Wednesday. Hunter will travel to CCNY on Wednesday at 5pm for a conference match-up.