BLUFFTON, Ohio – Hanover (10-2 overall, 4-1 HCAC) used consistent scoring to defeat Bluffton in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon inside the Sommer Center, 61-38.
 
Three of the five Panther starters recorded scores in the opening minutes to propel Hanover in front 6-0. Despite the early surge, Bluffton attempted to defend the Sommer Center, using a 9-0 run to flip the advantage in their favor, 9-6. A contest with the potential to be a nail-biter quickly swung in favor of the Blue and Red.
 
In the second quarter, Hanover stole all momentum as a junior Kaitlyn Lorenzi (Brentwood, Tenn.) score and free-throw followed by a junior Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) deep ball gave HC the 19-16 lead. Bluffton found a basket at 5:07 before entering a nearly four-minute drought. Over the run, numerous Panthers charted scores capped by senior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.). Hanover led at the intermission 34-25.
 
The Bluffton scoring struggles continued in the second half as they failed to chart more than 10 points in either frame. Hanover pushed the difference to 47-30 behind a Lorenzi three-pointer at the 4:13 mark. Sophomore Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) remained all gas finding a late third quarter score helping to send HC into the fourth quarter leading 51-30.
 
Hanover finished the afternoon shooting 41 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point forcing 14 points off turnovers en route to a dominating 61-38 victory.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Bezold claimed her seventh double-double of the 2024-25 season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Lorenzi netted 13 points with nine rebounds while Berman poured in 10 points.
 
Senior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) finished with nine points.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, January 8 when they host Transylvania in a pivotal HCAC contest at 7:00 PM.