HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover men's basketball team completed the non-conference sweep of Franklin on Sunday afternoon defeating the Grizzlies 69-62. With the victory, Hanover moves to 2-0 overall on the season.

The Panthers saw three players finish in double figures behind a game-high 17 points by senior Mark Albers (Pendleton, Ind. / Pendleton Heights). Sophomore Ty Houston (Union, Ky. / Cooper) tallied 15 points, while senior Connor Washburn (Indianapolis, Ind. / Fishers) recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Hanover jumped out to the early 9-1 advantage following a short run paced by Houston with a layup at the 16:10 mark that capped a 7-0 run. The momentum continued as a sophomore Jack Wininger (Elnora, Ind. / North Daviess) three-pointer with 12:47 remaining pushed the Panther lead. Hanover's largest lead of the first half would come minutes later as Washburn knocked down a free-throw to extend the advantage to 15-5.

However, Franklin battled back late into the half as they were able to erase the deficit and cut it to a two-point game with 3:25 to play. They would finally gain the advantage in the final moments as a jumper in the paint put them on top 29-28 entering the break.

Hanover started the second half quick, hitting a pair of back-to-back shots that would place them on top 32-31. The two teams exchanged points for several minutes before Houston connected for a jumper in the lane with 12:42 remaining to give the Blue and Red the 47-43 advantage.

The Grizzlies continued to hang around as a three-pointer at the 9:46 mark saw the score swing in their favor, 52-49. But again, Hanover battled tough stringing together a 13-0 run capped off by a freshman Brice Gilman (Clinton, Ind. / South Vermillion) layup at the 3:16 mark to take the 62-54 lead.

The Blue and Red never looked back as a pair of free-throws by senior Isaac Hibbard (New Albany, Ind. / New Albany) in the final seconds sealed the 69-62 sweep of Franklin.

Hanover returns to action on Saturday, January 16 when they welcome the Lions of Mount St. Joseph to Collier Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM.