TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Hanover men's basketball team dropped a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference road test at Rose-Hulman on Saturday afternoon falling to the Fightin' Engineers 73-57.

Hanover (8-3 overall, 2-2 HCAC) was led by junior Mark Albers (Pendleton, Ind.) with a team-high 17 points while pulling in four rebounds. Junior Isaac Hibbard (New Albany, Ind.) added 12 points for the Panthers.

The first half saw Hanover surge ahead with back-to-back scores by junior Isaac Hibbard (New Albany, Ind.) and a three-pointer by junior Mark Albers (Pendleton, Ind.) that put the Panthers on top 12-5 at the 15:41 mark. The Blue and Red continued to push the tempo as freshman Gavin Hess (Indianapolis, Ind.) capped off a short run that extended the advantage. But the excitement didn't last long as Rose-Hulman slowly erased the deficit pulling within 23-21 with just over six minutes remaining in the half.

The Fightin' Engineers claimed the lead moments later as a 10-0 run gave Rose-Hulman the slim advantage. The two teams exchanged points for the remainder of the half when an Albers layup as time expired propelled HC to the 29-27 halftime advantage.

Rose-Hulman opened the second half strong using a small run to capture the 45-39 advantage before a pair of junior Connor Washburn (Fishers, Ind.) free throws halted the charge. But the streak continued as the Fightin' Engineers sank a three-pointer that pushed the lead to double digits with just under ten minutes remaining.

Hanover looked to get something going late but feel unsuccessful as the Rose-Hulman offense continued to fire on all cylinders en route to the conference victory.

The Blue and Red return to action on Wednesday, January 8 when they take on HCAC foe Mount St. Joseph. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.