Box Score Hanover, IN (Collier Arena) - The Hanover College Panthers hosted HCAC opponent Bluffton University as part of a men's and women's double-header. Hanover entered the contest coming off a road win with an overall record of 7-4 and 3-1 in the HCAC.

In the first half of action the Panthers were relentless in controlling the pace of play - they broke the press consistently and were winning the mental battle responding well to the physicality of the Beavers. HC shot 56.7% from the field through the first half and an even more impressive 46.7% from distance (7/15 attempts), while holding the Beavers to a 44% and 33% shooting split.

Junior guard Cj Walls lead the charge for the Panthers through the first with 15 points and four rebounds to go with in just seventeen and a half minutes. Junior guard William Herald also made a hug first half impact with three made three-pointers and two assists through twelve minutes.

Hanover totaled 14 points in the paint and had 12 from their bench, and thanks to their stifling defensive efforts as well as their ability to play through contact the Panthers lead BU 44 to 38 heading into the break

HC came out of the locker room on fire and started the second half making nine of their first ten attempts. Hanover's largest lead of the half came around the thirtieth minute of action at 75-57.

The Beavers managed to start to claw back, shrinking the Panther lead back to just seven at 81-74 with just over five minutes left to play. The Panthers responded with a three from Jack Miller and a series of possessions that ended in trips to the line with points on the board to maintain their lead.

Hanover went on to take the contest

Inside the Stats
Junior guard Cj Walls went on to finish with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists and sophomore center Malachi McNair lead the team with 23 points and 16 rebounds, recording his ninth double-double this season.

As a team, Hanover shot 60% from the floor and 56% from behind the arc making 14 of 25 attempts. HC also recorded 30 points in the paint and had 15 from their bench.

The Panthers advance to 8-4 on the season and will return to action on the Baylor Family Court in Collie Arena on Wednesday the 7th, against Transylvania University. Game time is scheduled fo 7:30PM.