HANOVER, Ind. The Hanover women's basketball team remained perfect at home as they defeated Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton on Saturday afternoon, 63-53.
 
With the win, Hanover moves to 4-2 overall, 1-0 HCAC.
 
Hanover was led in the contest by freshman Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) with a double double. Benter netted a game-high 21 points, while pulling in 14 rebounds. Freshman Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) added 14 points and sophomore Maddi Sears (Carmel, Ind.) poured in 10 points.
 
The opening quarter would see the Panthers on the wrong end of a 9-7 advantage when a sophomore Addie Gardner (Anderson, Ind.) jumper at the 7:24 mark in the second stanza pushed HC in front 14-13. Benter deemed clutch moments later as she hit a deep ball from the top of the key that extended the Hanover advantage. The Blue and Red entered the half with the 26-21 lead.
 
The second half saw the Panthers continue to apply pressure as they captured their largest lead of the afternoon at the 3:26 mark following a Sears three-pointer, 43-28. However, Bluffton slowly climbed the mountain as they were able to cut the deficit to as little as three points in the fourth quarter when Sears sealed the deal at the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 11 when they travel to Defiance. Game time is set for 2:00 PM.