Box Score HANOVER, Ind. – Sophomore Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) netted a career-high 28 points to help propel the Panthers (18-6, 12-5) to victory on Saturday afternoon in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action over Franklin, 83-81.
 
In a track meet-style first half both teams looked to push the ball up the floor. Franklin benefited from the fast play using their transition offense to surge ahead 10-6. Hanover responded by getting back-to-back scores from sophomore Sammy Berman (Independence, Ky.) and senior Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.). Berman secured the Panther's first lead at 2:24 with a three-pointer that put them on top 20-19. The Blue and Red led after the first quarter 27-24 behind 13 points by Berman.
 
Senior Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) used her nifty up-and-under move to defeat the Grizzlies double team and push them in front 29-28. The battle ensued as neither team led by more than four points in the first half.  Franklin claimed the 34-30 advantage when senior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.) entered the scores column. Hanover closed the half leading 40-38 as Bezold capped double-digit scoring with a long-range three-pointer.
 
Much like the first half, Franklin pushed the floor securing a pair of quick scores. Hanover attempted to slow the pace by working the ball into Bezold in the lane for a 46-44 lead. Berman remained red hot shooting and nearly unstoppable in her mid-range game. The Berman and Bezold combo helped propel them to a slim 57-54 advantage. Franklin would not be denied tying the contest for a 13^th time. They held the third quarter 63-58 lead.
 
Franklin extended that lead, claiming the game's first double-digit advantage 68-58 with an 8-0 run. Bezold and Berman continued to be the one-two punch Hanover needed. Bezold got it done offensively while Berman got a huge defensive block. The sophomore scored a career performance to cut the difference to 71-66. Benter was clutch at the free throw line sinking a pair before draining a major three-pointer at 4:07 pulling Hanover within 76-75. 
 
The final two minutes were a nail-biter. Hanover used their defense to get a major stop and a junior Alexis Wines (Lebanon, Ind.) dribble drive to knot it 81-81 with 1:56 to play. The senior Bezold took over with a clutch layup that propelled Hanover to victory.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Bezold – 32 pts. | 12 reb. | 3 ast.
Berman – 28 pts. | 8 reb. | 2 blk. | 2 stl.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 19 when they travel to Transylvania. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.