HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers (9-6 overall, 7-1 HCAC) used a balance attack, landing three in double figures, to defeat Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton, 73-56.
 
Junior Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) led the Panther with a game and season-high 19 points. Junior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) added 17 points while junior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) netted 14 points. Senior Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) added eight assists.
 
The opening frame saw Hanover surge out front 6-0 before the Beavers responded. Bluffton was able to pull within 8-4 when Heath sparked a run that extended the Hanover lead 15-6. The offense continued to fire on all cylinders as Benter drained a three-pointer early in the second quarter to give HC the 20-12 advantage.
 
However, Bluffton refused to be tamed as they were able to string together a run of their own that pulled them within 24-22 at the 3:35 mark. But Hanover never surrendered the lead with Benter once again delivering a dagger that propelled HC into the half leading 34-26.
 
The second half saw the lead reach double digits behind a Clancy runner in the lane, 38-28. The Panthers never let off the gas as Clancy piloted the offense with back-to-back blows before a sophomore Lily Ernstes (North Vernon, Ind.) layup blew the contest wide open, 49-36.
 
The Blue and Red never looked back out scoring Bluffton in the final frame 24-18 en route to the HCAC home victory.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 17 when they host Franklin. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.