Box Score BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Hanover Panthers erased a second half deficit to capture a key Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Bluffton, 67-57.
 
Hanover was led by sophomore Matt Munoz (Indianapolis, Ind.) with a game-high 22 points shooting 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from the floor and a perfect 4-of-4 (1.00 percent) from the free throw line.
 
The Panthers used an impressive start to surge ahead 9-0 behind a strong showing by Munoz. However, the Beavers settled in cutting the difference to 15-12 with just under 10 minutes to play in the opening half. Sophomore Ryan Morris (McCordsville, Ind.) battled tough down low for the Blue and Red as he was able to get a streaker in the lane off a senior Noah Williams (Jeffersonville, Ind.) assist at the 5:21 mark.
 
However, Bluffton used a strong defensive stance to knot the score at 29-29 at the break. Hanover finished the half shooting 13-of-30 (43.3 percent) from the floor and just 2-of-10 (20.0 percent) from three-point.
 
The Beavers went to work in the second half netting back-to-back scores before a Ty Houston (Union, Ky.) turnaround jumper halted the surge. Hanover continued to settle in as they were able to regain the lead at the 15:21 mark off a senior Isaac Hibbard (New Albany, Ind.) layup.
 
Munoz carried the momentum for the Panthers as a key bucket with just 9:29 to play put HC on top 54-46. The Panthers never let up capturing the 67-57 HCAC road win.
 
The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, January 26 when they welcome Rose-Hulman to Collier Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 PM.