CINCINNATI, Ohio – Early Lion run deemed costly for the Panthers (7-5 overall, 3-2 HCAC) in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action as they fell Wednesday evening on the road at Mount St. Joseph, 54-52.
 
The Hanover offense was paced by senior Ty Houston (Union, Ky.) netting a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds.
 
Junior Brice Gilman (Clinton, Ind.) led an early Panther charge as he connected from three-point sparking a 12-0 run that pushed HC on top 19-7 at the 10:38 mark. In a contest that quickly became a story of runs, MSJ responded with one of their own flipping the script, 20-19.
 
Gilman looked to halt the stampeding Lions as he sank a layup in the paint, but Mount had other things in mind as they entered the intermission with the 31-21 advantage.
 
Hanover regrouped in the second half with Houston leading the charge. The senior connected on back-to-back layups followed by a senior Jack Wininger (Elnora, Ind.) shot in the paint pulling HC within 33-29. Sophomore Coleman Sater (Ellettsville, Ind.) tied the score with 14:09 to play after a scoop and score, 33-33.
 
The Blue and Red claimed their largest lead of the second half at the 9:52 mark with Houston dealing the long-range blow, 38-35. But again, MSJ responded with another run pushing the difference in their favor 47-40. With time winding down Hanover made one final push getting as close as 52-49 before the Mount secured the victory at the free-throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 7 when they welcome Earlham. Game time is set for 1:00 PM.