LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Panthers (12-5 overall, 9-1 HCAC) hit the road for no. 2 ranked Transylvania on Wednesday evening, dropping the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle 69-44.

Sophomore Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) led the Hanover effort charting the game's only double-double with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Teammate, sophomore Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) added eight points while senior Anna Bauer (Indianapolis, Ind.) pulled down eight rebounds.

After a slow start, the Panther offense came alive with Bezold leading the surge. The sophomore netted six straight points pulling HC within 20-10.

The second frame saw Clancy provide the momentum hitting a pull-up in the lane before a Bauer two-point conversion cut the difference to 22-16. But the Pioneers halted the stampede using a three-pointer to push the advantage back to double digits at the 3:56 mark, 30-18. They entered the intermission leading 34-20.

Bezold led the Blue and Red with eight first half points.

The one-two punch of Bezold and Bauer seemed effective in the second half as they cut the deficit to 37-24. However, Transylvania combated the attack using a 7-0 run to reclaim the 53-34 advantage.

The final frame would see the Panthers surrender the HCAC battle of unbeatens as Transylvania secured the win.

Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 21 when they welcome Bluffton to Collier Arena. Game time is set for 4:00 PM.