Box Score HANOVER, Ind. – Second half surge falls short as the Panthers fall to Anderson as part of the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Sunday afternoon. Hanover dropped the contest 88-80.
 
Hanover landed four members in double-digits led by freshman Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) with a team-high 18 points. Freshman Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) added 16 points while freshman Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) and senior Liz Tynan (Columbus, Ind.) added 10 points apiece.
 
The Panthers used a balanced attack to capture the 8-2 lead early as Bezold hit a runner in the lane followed by a Tynan turnaround jumper. However, the Ravens came soaring back using a 9-0 run to claim the 17-15 first period lead.
 
They carried the momentum into the second stanza pushing the difference to as many as seven points when junior Anna Bauer (Indianapolis, Ind.) looked to spark the Panther attack with a key defensive stop. The stop proved successful as sophomore Addie Gardner (Anderson, Ind.) connected from three-point at the 2:39 mark to pull HC back within 31-30. Hanover entered the intermission knotted at 38-38.
 
They captured the lead in the second half as senior Lanette Blume (St. Anthony, Ind.) paced a Panther run that sent Hanover on top 52-40. The offense continued to fire on all cylinders with Heath using some nifty moves to get to the hoop. Benter propelled Hanover into the final stanza with the 67-60 lead.
 
But the Ravens refused to roll over as they slowly clawed their way back into the contest, pulling within 67-66 with just seven minutes to play. Benter's impressive second half ensued as she was able to help propel Hanover to the 76-75 lead but it wasn't enough as the Ravens secured the win at the free throw line.
 
Hanover concludes the season at 13-10 overall and 10-7 in HCAC action.