NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Lehman College women's basketball team got off to a strong start, but could not hold off host Hunter College, falling 57-41 in the CUNYAC opener for both schools.

Lehman (0-3, 0-1 CUNYAC) jumped out to a 7-2 lead early on, capped by a Shameeka Reed (Bronx, N.Y./Pocono Mountain West) jumper. The game remained tight, with Lehman opening up a 17-13 lead with 5:51 to play in the first half on a Stephanie Miranda (Bronx, N.Y./Taft Educational Center) layup. But the Hawks (1-2, 1-0 CUNYAC) used a 13-0 spurt to close the first half and take a 26-17 lead.

In the second half, freshman Jennifer Navarro (Jamaica, N.Y./Grover Cleveland) drained a three-pointer, and suddenly Lehman cut the lead down to just four points, with 15:25 to play. Minutes later, Navarro would hit another three, and the lead was down to just three, at 12:28 to go. Lehman would get as close as two points, at 40-38, with just 3:21 to play, when Navarro made a pair of free throws.

From there, Hunter went on a 10-0 run, as part of a larger 17-3 run, to break the game open, and win 57-41.

For the game, Navarro scored 11 points, while Miranda finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Shalaya Nieves (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney) added nine points, and a team-high 12 rebounds. Nieves added a pair of blocked shots. Guard Jasmin Castro-Lopez (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy) had eight points, six rebounds, and six assists.

The Lightning will have a few days off for Thanksgiving before taking to the hardwood again on Saturday, November 24, hosting Dickinson (Penna.) College at Manhattan College's Draddy Gym.