Box Score
Turnovers and fouls were the story of tonight's HCAC showdown with the Hanover College Panthers. The Lions committed 28 turnovers and 28 fouls en route to an 86-75 defeat dropping them to 2-3 in the HCAC standings. The Lions are back on the floor this Saturday at Rose-Hulman before returning to the Harrington Center on Jan. 11 to face the undefeated Franklin College Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m.
The Mount played neck-and-neck with the Panthers for most of the first half as they fended off Hanover's constant full-court press. The score was tied three times and the lead changed four times throughout the duration of the half with both teams consistently exchanging baskets. Hanover began pulling away from the Lions with five minutes remaining as the Panthers saw a three point lead turn into a 14 point lead in two minutes of play. The Lions ended the half down 45-33 after outshooting Hanover 45 percent to 38 percent from the field.
The Mount committed 15 fouls in the first half leading to 18 of 21 converted free throw attempts for Hanover. Senior guard Courtney Cole (Vevay, IN/Switzerland County) led the Lions at half with nine points, two assists, and one block. Brooke Mosler (Maysville, KY/St. Patrick's) chipped in seven points in the first half to go with five boards and an assist. Cole and Mosler combined for nine of the Lions' 18 first half turnovers.
The Lions came out fired up for the second half as they quickly inched their way to within six points of Hanover with the score notched at 50-44 with 16:47 left to play in the game. The Mount never found themselves closer to the lead as 10 turnovers and 13 fouls in the second half made it difficult for the Lions to complete their second half comeback. Hanover went on to make their second half lead as much as 16 points (twice) before the game came to a close at 86-75. Hanover outshot the Lions 28-38 to 11-17 from the free throw line in a game decided by 11 points.
Erica Miknius (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) led the Mount in scoring putting up 13 second half points to finish with 16 for the night. Miknius went 4-4 from downtown, and added four assists and two steals.
Cole finished the night with 13 points, three boards, four assists, two blocks, and six turnovers before fouling out with 4:40 remaining in the game. Mosler ended the game with a double-double grabbing nine second half rebounds to finish with 14. Mosler added 13 points, one assist and six turnovers in 28 minutes of play.
