Box Score HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers (12-8 overall, 8-5 HCAC) amped up the pressure on Saturday afternoon to defeat Bluffton in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action in front of an electric crowd on Alumni Day, 97-73.
 
The Panthers wasted no time turning up the heat in Collier Arena, thanks to some strong play by junior CJ Walls (Louisville, Ky.). The junior tallied eight points in the opening three minutes to push Hanover out front 11-2.  Bluffton cut the difference to 14-7 at the first media timeout.
 
Hanover continued to push the tempo with sophomore Cam Falls (Indianapolis, Ind.) using his speed to get to the rim followed by a freshman Jeremiah Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind.) three-pointer at the 12:11 mark to give HC the 21-11 advantage. Senior Luke Miller (Madison, Ind.) had a stellar first half as he used his midrange jumper to help extend the Blue and Red lead. Hanover entered the intermission leading the Beavers 51-32. Luke Miller led all first-half scorers with 13 points.
 
The Hanover pressure remained an issue for the Beavers in the second half. The Panthers used the defensive side of the floor to fuel the offense with Luke Miller getting to the rim on the dribble drive, 57-36. The senior remained red hot hitting yet another midrange jumper to blow the contest wide open. The Blue and Red never looked back securing the 97-73 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Six Panthers finished in double figures | 13 total Panthers scored in the contest
Luke Miller – 17 Pts. | 61.5 FG % | 2 Stl.
CJ Walls – 12 Pts. | 71. 4 FG % | 3 Ast.
Michael Donoho – 11 Pts. | 80.0 FG % | 5 Reb.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 5 when they travel to Rose-Hulman at 7:30 PM.