HANOVER, Ind. – Mid game skid deems costly for the Panthers in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action as the fell to Defiance on Saturday afternoon inside Collier Arena, 69-63.
 
The Panthers were paced in the contest by freshman Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) with a game-high 22 points. Freshman Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) added 16 points while freshman Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) netted 12 points.
 
Heath and Benter brought the one-two punch from the opening tip as they helped propel HC on top of the Yellow Jackets 6-2. Hanover continued to push the tempo before a Defiance 6-0 run cut the deficit to 12-10 with just over three minutes remaining. Hanover entered the second period locked at 14-14.
 
The Yellow Jacket hot shooting carried into the early moments of the second frame as a three-pointer pushed them in front 19-14 forcing a Panther timeout. The Blue and Red made a push late into the frame, paced by senior Liz Tynan (Columbus, Ind.), that pulled them within 30-27 at the half.  
 
Hanover brought the full court pressure in the second half using their defense to fuel their offense. It deemed effective as Bezold got an easy score in the paint to put HC on top 33-32. The two team's exchanged buckets late into the quarter with DC holding the 49-42 lead.
 
Bezold looked to use her aggressive post play in the fourth quarter getting to the free throw line before Heath found a transition layup. However, the Yellow Jackets continued to pester when Tynan netted six straight points to steal the momentum.
 
In what became a whirlwind of an ending the Blue and Red ultimately fell short as DC was able to secure the HAC victory at the free throw line.  
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 2 when they host Anderson. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.