NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers (15-8 overall, 11-5 HCAC) dropped a competitive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle at Manchester on Saturday afternoon 74-72.
 
Hanover was led in the contest by senior Ty Houston (Union, Ky.) with 23 points while junior Max Greenamoyer (Zionsville, Ind.) added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  
 
Hanover trailed early in the contest as the Spartans captured the 13-6 lead when a senior Jack Wininger (Elnora, Ind.) and junior Brice Gilman (Clinton, Ind.) three-point blow cut the difference to 15-12. With 11:22 to play in the opening frame Hanover finally tied the contest at the free throw line.
 
However, Manchester refused to surrender the lead as they were able to push the difference back to 30-23. The Panthers remained poise as a junior Matt Munoz (Indianapolis, Ind.) three-pointer as time expired helped cut the halftime deficit to 36-33.
 
The second half would see the Spartan lead reach doble-digits when sophomore Kyle Crim (Manilla, Ind.) jumped onto the scoreboard halting the surge.  Hanover looked to flip the script as a sophomore Coleman Sater (Ellettsville, Ind.) layup and a Houston jumper pulled HC within 62-60 with 4:58 to play.
 
Houston eventually was able to give HC the lead as he connected on a jumper before a Greenamoyer pull-up had HC on top 72-71. But the excitement was quickly crushed as Manchester delivered a three-pointer as time expired to secure the win.
 
Hanover returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 14 when they travel to Transylvania. Game time is set for 7:30 PM.