WHEATON, Ill. – The Hanover women's basketball team (2-0 overall) shot past Elmhurst on Saturday afternoon, 78-55 to win the Wheaton Tournament.
 
Hanover saw three players land in double figures led by junior Maddi Sears (Carmel, Ind.) with a team best 17 points, earning her all-tournament honors. Sophomore Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) added 14 points and 10 rebounds, to be named the tournament MVP, while teammate sophomore Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) added 10 points.
 
The Panthers flew past Elmhurst early opening the contest on a 9-0 run. The hot streak continued as Bezold netted the Panthers final five points of the opening frame propelling HC on top 21-19.
 
The second quarter saw HC blow the game wide open using a 10-0 run led by Benter from behind the three-point line to push the Panther difference to 33-20 with 3:38 remaining. Hanover entered the intermission with the double-digit advantage, 38-26.
 
Benter continued her impressive shooting in the second half hitting a three-pointer before a junior Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) fastbreak layup pushed HC out front 45-30.
 
The Blue and Red never looked back out scoring Elmhurst 26-18 in the final frame for the convincing 78-55 victory.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 19 when they compete as part of the Wittenberg Tournament taking on Baldwin Wallace.