BEREA, Ky. – Early game struggles deemed costly as the Panthers (11-6 overall, 5-5 HCAC) surrendered a mid-season Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest at Berea, 73-68.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Three Panthers landed in double digits led by senior Alexis Wines with 20 points, including four made three-pointers. Junior Sammy Berman netted 14 points while claiming four steals.
 
Freshman Emerson Vlcan tallied 12 points with a season-high five blocks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Berea Mountaineers came off the opening tip red hot using an 11-2 run to surge ahead at the 6:05 mark. Hanover weathered the storm with Wines connecting from three-point. The Panthers finished the frame shooting 46 percent from the floor, getting six from Berman to cut the difference to 23-15.
 
Wines continued her sharp shooting in the second quarter hitting a three-pointer followed by a triple from senior Kaitlyn Lorenzi to pull Hanover within 25-23. Berea combatted the Panther attack with another 11-0 run en route to their largest lead to date, 36-23.
 
Hanover attempted to pull themselves out of the deficit in the second half with Emerson Vlcan finding success in the lane, netting the old fashion three-point play. The key momentum shift came with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter as the Panthers netted seven straight points, capped by a Wines three-pointer, to pull within 56-52.
 
The fourth quarter saw Hanover claim just their second lead in the contest following a crucial run, which included a Wines three-pointer for the 61-59 difference. Hanover looked to complete the comeback as Berman netted a three-pointer at 2:52 giving HC the 68-66 edge. However, Berea remained solid down the stretch securing a 73-68 win at the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 24 when they hit the road for Bluffton. Game time is set for 2:00 PM.