BEREA, Ky. – The Panthers (9-8 overall, 5-5 HCAC) hit the road for Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening dropping the road test inside the Seabury Center, 72-63.
 
Thw two programs used efficient shooting to create a back-and-forth battle. Berea found their largest lead of the opening half at the 15 minute mark, 11-5. The excitement was short-lived as sophomore Cam Freeman (Indianapolis, Ind.) connected from long range before sophomore CJ Walls (Louisville, Ky.) hit a layup that saw the difference at 17-16.
 
Despite the opening bucket, the Panther's lone lead came with 5:30 remaining in the half following a senior Coleman Sater (Ellettsville, Ind.) layup, 23-22. Senior Luke Miller (Madison, Ind.) propelled them to their largest lead of the frame, 35-31, following a three-pointer as time expired.
 
The Panthers attempted to build on the momentum in the second half but were quickly restrained. Berea used the ability to get to the free throw line to their advantage by reclaiming the 38-37 lead. Neither team led by more than two points when a Berea fast break layup at 8:06 pushed them to a 55-51 advantage.
 
Hanover cut the deficit to as little as 60-58 but the Mountaineers deemed too much late securing the 72-63 victory.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Sater – 16 pts. | 8 reb. | 3 assists | 3 steals
Freeman – 13 pts. | 8 assists
L. Miller – 11 pts. | 3 three-pointers
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Earlham.