HANOVER, Ind. – Hanover (10-6 overall, 8-1 HCAC) fights off Franklin in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening inside Collier Arena, 70-68.
 
Hanover was led by junior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) with a team-high 21 points. She added seven rebounds while teammate, junior Grace Bezold added a double- double. The Covington, Ky. native netted 17 points with 11 rebounds.  With her 17-point performance, she moved within 13 of her 1,000 career point. Senior Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) added 12 points in favor of the Panthers.
 
The rival contest saw the first quarter set the tone as neither team was willing to give an inch. However, Hanover was able to close out the opening frame with the slim 15-14 advantage following a pair of junior Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) free throws.
 
The second period saw HC begin to find their offensive groove pushing the difference to 26-22 after a Benter deep ball. The momentum continued with Bezold showing her range and extending the Panther lead. Hanover entered the intermission leading 37-31.
 
The hot streak continued in the second half as the Blue and Red were able to push the difference to as many as 49-35 off a Clancy fastbreak layup. But the Grizzlies refused to be tamed cutting the difference to 61-59 with just 4:41 remaining.
 
Despite woes at the free throw line, Hanover was able to find success in the paint by way of Bezold who gave HC the 67-63 advantage with just 1:24 to play. Benter handled the rest sinking the back end of two free throws to propel HC to victory.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 20 when they host Earlham. Game time is set for 3:00 PM.