HANOVER, Ind. – Hanover (13-10 overall, 7-9 HCAC) battled the Ravens of Anderson in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening within the confines of Collier Arena, dropping a thriller 76-73.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Hanover was led by senior Kaitlyn Lorenzi with 20 points and eight rebounds, including two assists.
 
Senior Alexis Wines netted 16 points while her teammate junior Sammy Berman tallied 13 with five rebounds and four assists.
 
 Freshman Emerson Vlcan finished with a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panther paint presence was felt in full force in the opening moments of the first half as Vlcan dominated the lane. The success opened the deep look for Wines who tallied a three pointer at the 7:49 mark to propel HC in front 10-7. Anderson responded at the midway point using their fast break offense to tie the contest. Hanover forced six first quarter turnovers, closing out the frame trailing 23-21.
 
The chippiness of the HCAC battle ensued in the second quarter as the two teams went basket for basket with neither team giving an inch. Senior Lily Ernstes gave the Blue and Red the slim 27-26 advantage at 6:30 before sophomore Macy Cline extended on the lead with a triple. The Panthers out scored the Ravens 14-8 for the 35-31 halftime advantage.
 
Ernstes sparked the Panther offense in the second half as she netted a pull up jumper before a Lorenzi two-point conversion pushed the difference to 39-34. Hanover claimed their largest lead to date at the midway point as Lorenzi connected on her second three-pointer. But the Ravens came soaring back, scoring 10 of the quarters' last 12 points for the 57-56 lead.
 
Wines and Berman challenged the Anderson defense in the early moments of the fourth quarter as the duo combined for eight of the teams' points in the opening two minutes for the 64-60 lead. Lorenzi reached the 20-point mark with just over five to play as she sank a corner three-pointer. Despite the early success, Anderson responded with a 9-0 run that saw them in front 76-73 securing the game at the free throw line.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday when they hit the road for HCAC rival Franklin. Game time is slated for 3:00 PM.