ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Three Panthers landed in double-figures as Hanover (2-3 overall) battled 22^nd Annual McWilliams Classic host WashU, falling in the contest 86-75.
 
Hanover was led by sophomore Kylah Lawson (Columbus, Ind.) with a team-high 15 points and four rebounds while teammates junior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) added 14 points and junior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) 13 points.
 
The Panther offense blew out the gate claiming the early 7-4 lead behind a strong performance by Lawson. The Bears refused to be tamed responding with a short run that saw them capture the advantage at the 5:34 mark in the first quarter. WashU looked to push the game wide open using a 6-0 run to extend the difference to 17-9. However, Hanover remained poised pulling within 24-16 at the first intermission.
 
After surrendering a run to the Bears in the opening moments of the second quarter, Bezold looked to spark the attack once more. The junior hit a jumper before delivering from long range to cut the deficit back to 35-21. The surge continued with a series of runs pulling HC within 49-33 at the half.
 
Lawson played a key role in the Panther scoring effort in the second half as she hit a jumper at the 8:20 mark in an attempt to apply the pressure. Her and Bezold dominated much of the third frame when Benter connected from three-point to pull HC within 60-50. Benter once again delivered at the 1:16 point sending Hanover into the final frame trailing just 70-57.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Panthers attempted one final attack. Leading the fourth quarter surge was sophomore Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) and freshman Ava Sowder (Pekin, Ind.) who helped pull HC within 86-75 in the final minutes.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 2 when they take on DePauw at WashU. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM.