Hanover Edges Anderson with Late Rally

Hanover College utilized a late rally to edge the Anderson University women's basketball team with a 67-62 victory during Wednesday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

Anderson (9-13, 5-10) held a 57-50 lead with 3 minutes, 32 seconds remaining. Hanover (15-6, 14-1) responded with an 8-0 run to take a 58-57 lead with 1:41 to go. Payton Moore split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 58-all. Hanover's Savannah Courtney scored the next four points to put Hanover ahead 62-58.

"Hanover is obviously a very good basketball team and we controlled the tempo of this game for the first 35 minutes of the game," Coach Lindsay Shade said. "Unfortunately, we got a little tentative when they ramped up their pressure. You have to give Hanover credit though, they capitalized on every offensive and defensive mistake we made down the stretch. This one hurts because we it's one we should've had. However, I am so deeply encouraged by the way our team continues to improve."

The Ravens were without Hannah Hawkins due to injury. Hawkins has averaged 9.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks this season.

"It seems like every time we are starting to gain some momentum, we lose someone to injury. Hannah has been our rock defensively and we knew it would take several people stepping up to carry some of the load she's carried for us. I could not be more proud of our players for their effort, toughness, and resilience."

The Ravens committed 18 turnovers while the Panthers turned the ball over seven times. Hanover held a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers and a 10-6 advantage in fast-break points.

Anderson powered to a 35-19 rebounding advantage. The Ravens held an 8-2 advantage on offensive rebounds and an 8-4 advantage in second-chance points.

The Ravens converted 24-of-48 (50 percent) shots from the field and 7-of-18 (38.9 percent) attempts from 3-point range. Hanover hit 20-of-48 (41.7 percent) attempts from the floor and 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) shots from the perimeter.

The Panthers drained 22-of-25 (88 percent) shots from the free-throw line while the Ravens made 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) attempts from the charity stripe.

Moore racked up 27 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-foot sophomore center from Spiceland knocked down 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) shots from the floor.

Lexi Dellinger tallied 13 points and five assists. Jade Shipley provided 10 points. Hanna Ault contributed five points. Carly Hackler and Kristin Dubois scored three points each. Mariah Clemons rounded out Anderson's scoring with one point.

The HCAC Tournament takes the top six teams from the regular season. Anderson is currently tied for seventh in the HCAC standings and one game behind a fourth-place tie.

"We are not done yet. I still believe we are going to find a way into the tournament."

The Ravens square off with Franklin College (13-8, 9-6) in HCAC action on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Franklin.