HANOVER, Ind. – Hanover (11-5 overall, 5-4 HCAC) tamed the Lions of MSJ on Saturday afternoon in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action, securing a key victory 70-55.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Junior Sammy Berman netted a game-high 19 while senior Alexis Wines added 15 points and a 9-10 mark at the free throw line. Freshman Emerson Vlcan finished with 11 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hanover dominated offensively in the first half as Berman and Lorenzi paced a 7-0 run that pushed the Panthers out front 11-4. The Blue and Red remained composed against the MSJ full court pressure as senior London Brooks eluded the defense going coast-to-coast for the 13-8 advantage.
 
Wines and Berman deemed the hot hands in the second frame scoring six straight points to extend the Hanover lead to 28-18, their largest lead to date. Berman recorded 12 first half points while Wines went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line to send them into the intermission in front 31-19.
 
Berman hit a huge momentum shifting three-pointer off a fast break dish from Wines midway through the third frame that erupted the Panther bench and saw Hanover claim the 42-28 difference. The Blue and Red defense forced three turnovers in the frame that sent them into the final quarter in front 54-37.
 
The rest was history as three Panthers finished in double-digits securing a 70-55 victory. Hanover finished the contest shooting 38 percent from the floor and 78 percent at the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 21 when they hit the road for Berea. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.