HANOVER, Ind. - Second half woe doomed costly for the Panthers as the fell in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship to area rival Franklin, 91-84. The Panthers concluded the season at 21-5 overall and were crowned the HCAC Regular Season Champions. Hanover will now await the NCAA selection show in hopes of an at large bid.

The Panthers landed two on the HCAC All-Tournament team in junior Ty Houston (Union, Ky.) and senior Isaac Hibbard (New Albany, Ind.).

In the Championship contest, Hibbard netted a team-high 27 points with five assists while Houston added 18 points three rebounds and two steals.

In front of an electric crowd, the Panthers and Grizzlies squared off in the HCAC Tournament Championship with both team's battling tough from the opening tip. Hanover claimed the slim advantage at the first media timeout with a three-pointer by senior Noah Williams (Jeffersonville, Ind.)who pushed HC in front 10-5.

The three-pointers continued to fall as sophomore Matt Munoz (Indianapolis, Ind.) showed off his range followed by a sophomore Max Greenamoyer (Zionsville, Ind.) runner in the lane that sent HC to the 19-12 advantage. 

However, the Grizzlies clawed their way back using a 12-0 run to capture their largest lead to date 24-19 with just 8:46 to play. 

The three-pointers rained all evening as junior Jack Wininger (Elnora, Ind.) sank three straight long balls followed by a pair by Houston to help send HC into the half with the 45-40 advantage. 

The nail bitting contest ensued in the second half as Munoz and Houston connected for a pair of jumpers that extended the difference to just 59-53 with 13:46 remaining. Franklin, however brought a stampede pulling within just a score of the Blue and Red before finally getting over the hump at the 6:12 mark with an 8-0 run, 71-68. They never looked back as efficient shooting night secured the win.