HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers (7-4 overall, 6-0 HCAC) shot past Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday evening in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action, defeating the. Lions 80-67.
 
Hanover landed three in double figures paced by sophomore Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) with a game-high and season-high 24 points. Teammate, sophomore Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) added 16 points while junior Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) netted 15 points.
 
The Blue and Red dominated the first quarter using a 12-0 run to enter the second frame with the double-digit advantage. Heath led the surge netting six of the points as HC claimed the 22-11 lead.
 
The offense continued to fire on all cylinders as Bezold landed back-to-back blows before a pair of sophomore Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) free-throws at the 2:26 mark sent Hanover on top 36-24. They entered the intermission with the 38-30 advantage.
 
The second half saw the Lions look to roar as they were able to cut the difference to as little as 40-37 when Benter sparked a 6-0 Hanover run that saw the Panthers regain the double-digit lead. Clancy closed out the third frame sinking a pair of free-throws to push HC on top 57-48.
 
The offense continued to dominate in the fourth quarter claiming the largest lead of the second half at the 7:04 mark following a Bezold layup in the lane, 64-48. The Blue and Red never looked back securing the HCAC victory.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 7 when they welcome Earlham. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM.