HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers (7-2 overall, 3-1 HCAC) celebrated Alumni Day by defeating Manchester in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action 62-57.
 
Manchester torched the net from three-point to open the contest surging ahead 6-0 when sophomore Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) went to work. Berman paced a scoring surge that helped propel Hanover on top 8-6 with 4:20 remaining in the first frame. Junior Lily Ernstes (North Vernon, Ind.) took some major minutes off the bench as Hanover secured a 14-12 lead.
 
The second quarter saw both teams in a bit of a chaotic state as the two programs exchanged several possessions. Hanover navigated the craziness as Berman continued to have her way with the Spartan defense pushing HC in front 20-16. Despite the shooting woes, Manchester dominated the boards using second-chance points to keep the contest within reach at the half, 26-23.
 
Junior Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) provided the momentum in the second half connecting from long range before picking up a scoop and score that gave the Panthers a double-digit advantage, 35-25. The offense remained red hot netting a 14-0 run that pushed them in front 45-25 with 3:15 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Manchester gave the Panthers a scare in the final frame using the three-pointer to pull within 58-55. But senior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) and the Blue and Red tamed the Spartans from inside the lane. The senior had six fourth quarter points to help secure the win.
 
INSIDE THE STAT SHEET
Berman led the Panthers with a team-high 14 points. Wines added 11 points while Bezold netted 10 points for the Blue and Red
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 18 when they take on UMass Dartmouth in San Juan.