LEXINGTON, Ky. - Hanover (18-8 overall) bowed out of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday evening falling to Mount St. Joseph 69-57.
 
Hanover was led in the contest by freshman Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) with a team-high 15 points while senior Taylor Heath (Fairland, Ind.) added 14 points.
 
The Panther offense got off to a slow start as the Lions were able to surge ahead to an 18-8 lead following a 10-0 run. MSJ closed out the first period with the 20-12 advantage.
 
However, the second quarter would see a Panthers push as they were able to cut the difference to 22-16 behind a junior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) jumper. Berman pulled HC within 23-19 as she hit a midrange bucket at the 3:49 mark. 
 
However, MSJ continued to dominate the offensive side of the floor using a three-pointer to close out the frame for the 36-24 halftime lead. Heath led the Blue and Red with 10 first half points. 
 
Mount St. Joseph remained red hot in the second half as they were able to use back-to-back layups en route to the 46-32 advantage. Heath looked to spark the Panther offense as she got to the free throw line sinking both attempts. But the Lions remained all gas extending their lead to 56-41 with just over eight to play.
 
Lawson attempted to spark the comeback recording four straight scores helping pull Hanover within 56-47. Sophomore Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) netted a huge three-pointer with 4:54 to play cutting the lead to 59-52. But MSJ went on to outscore Hanover 20-15 en route to the HCAC Tournament win. 
 
The Panthers saw five athletes claim all-HCAC honors after finishing second in the HCAC at 16-2.