FRANKLIN, Ind. – Senior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) recorded her third consecutive double-double as Hanover (6-2 overall, 2-1 HCAC) surrendered a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest with the Grizzlies 71-70.
 
The first quarter played out as expected with both teams exchanging baskets. The Panthers drew first blood as senior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) recorded a putback. Hanover's largest lead of the opening frame came at the 3:58 mark as senior Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) pushed HC on top 12-7. However, Franklin was able to dominate the offensive boards knotting the contest 13-13.
 
Bezold helped the Panthers extend their lead to five in the second quarter before Clancy's three-pointer saw the game's largest lead by either team, 23-15. Rebounding continued to be an issue for the Blue and Red with Franklin using a series of second chances to come within 29-28 at the intermission.
 
Hanover's offense found some momentum in the second half using a Clancy jumper and a pair of junior Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) free throws to capture a 45-39 lead. The advantage reached double digits moments later as sophomore Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) remained a force getting to the charity line, 51-41. Free throws were the key to the Panthers third quarter success as Wines tallied another pair, 57-48.
 
The fourth quarter is where the Hanover struggles began. Franklin wasted little time erasing the Panther's hard work, cutting the score to 61-59 with 6:00 minutes to play. With 3:20 remaining they finally claimed the lead before Bezold stepped up. Following a timeout, the senior was able to get to the rim giving HC a 70-69 advantage with just seconds remaining. The Grizzles completed the heroics in front of the home crowd hitting a shot as time expired, 71-70.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Bezold led all scorers recording her third double-double in a row netting 24 points with 20 rebounds.
 
Kady Clancy added 15 points while Wines also added 15 points on a perfect 9-for-9 mark from the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 14 when they welcome Manchester to Collier Arena for Alumni Day. Game time is set for 1:00 PM.