Box Score CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Panthers (16-7 overall, 15-3 HCAC) used a fourth quarter rally to claim their regular season finale on Friday evening as they defeated the Mount St. Joseph Lions in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action 84-79.
 
The Panthers were led in the contest by the combined effort from sophomore Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) and sophomore Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.). Benter netted a team-high 25 points with five three-pointers, while Bezold added 23 points.
 
Hanover and Mt. St. Joseph got locked in a battle as the Lions were able to claim the 13-10 advantage when a Panther 7-0 run capped by a Benter three-pointer propelled HC on top, 17-13. Benter netted the final blow of the first frame before adding a runner to open the second quarter.
 
However, the Lions remained poise as they regained the slim 29-27 lead at the 7:03 mark. The back-and-forth battle ensued with the two teams exchanging the lead late into the quarter when Benter and Bezold deemed clutch offensively helping to send Hanover into the intermission locked at 40-40.
 
The second half would see the Panthers create some breathing room as they used a Bezold layup to push ahead 48-42 but the Lions refused to be tamed entering the fourth quarter trailing just 59-58.
 
The Mount tied the contest at 63-63 before Benter netted a three-pointer at the 8:10 mark. The dagger appeared to be just the momentum the Panthers needed with Bezold pacing a 6-0 run that saw HC claim its largest lead to date, 72-64. Hanover never looked back securing the victory at the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Friday, Feb. 24 when they compete as part of the HCAC Tournament in the semifinal round at Transylvania.