NEW YORK — Despite three in double figures and leading for most of the contest, the Pratt Institute men's basketball team dropped a 66-59 non-conference decision to Hunter College on Wednesday evening at the Hunter Sportsplex.
Justin Caver and Ace Bibbs led the Cannoneers (0-3) with 13 points each, Caver also pulling down five boards with two assists. Hursh Mehta chipped in 11 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting as Caver, Bibbs and Mehta all drained three trifectas.
Cameron Windt added nine points, seven boards and two assists, while Mekhi Davis chipped in seven points, five boards, three assists and two steals.
The teams traded the lead seven times early in the first before Pratt assembled a 11-0 run over five minutes capped by a Davis three-point play and a Bibbs trifecta that built a 28-18 separation that led to a 30-23 cushion at intermission.
The Cannoneers pushed the lead back to 10 on multiple occasions early in the second before surrendering an 11-0 run to the Hawks to fall behind 39-38 with 12 minutes to play, but Pratt responded with a 13-2 spurt to rebuild the 10-point cushion at 51-41 with 7:49 to go.
A Caver bucket with just over five minutes remaining built Pratt's largest lead of the contest at 55-44, but the offense stalled and Hunter closed out the game on a 22-1 run before Caver's bucket with 11 seconds left ended the field goal drought.
Pratt held the lead for 32 minutes and outshot the hosts on their home floor 34 percent (19-56) to 31 percent (19-60) and made four more three-pointers (11-7). The Cannoneers also won the rebounding battle, 47-37, but the Hawks won the turnover battle (20-7) and points off turnovers (18-5).
Hunter (1-1) placed four in double figures, led by Casey Meyer's 18 points.
Pratt will look to rebound on the hardwood at the ARC in their home opener on Saturday, November 16 hosting the United States Merchant Marine Academy for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
