CINCINNATI, Ohio - Huge run to close first-half, leads Lions (4-7, 3-2 HCAC) to third Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference win in a row a 54-52 win over Hanover at home.
The Lions offense was paced by a pair of double-digit scorers,
Luke Collinsworth had a team-high 12 points all of which came in the first-half. While freshman
Nate Kratzer pitched in 10.
In a the first-half it was all about the runs, Hanover took the early advantage with a 12-0 run that put them ahead 19-7 at the 10:38 mark. The Lions then closed the first-half by answering 24-4 run to take a 31-23 lead into the break. Collinsworth did much of the heavy lifting during the run scoring all 12 of his points while the Lions pulled ahead.
Hanover then opened the second half with and 11-2 run to tie the game at 33 with 14:09 to play. The game would be tight the rest of the way, the Lions pushed their lead out to 7 with 2:48 to play. Hanover would cut it to three on a Ty Huston layup. The Lions answered with a huge three-pointer from Mathew Menninger, it was just his second three of the season. Hanover answered with a three of their own to pull back within three, and after an MSJ turnover the Panthers got the ball back with the shotclock turned off and an opportunity to tie the score.
Ty Huston drove left for the Panthers but was
Dayne Gardner played outstanding defense to force the miss from the Hanover star. A pair of
Evan Wiehe free-throws put the game away for the Lions. Hanover did hit a buzzer beating three but it was all for not, as the Lions secured the 54-52 victory.
Coach Carrigan got fantastic performances from up and down his lineup, as nine different Lions scored in the game. Menninger was outstanding at both ends with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. The Lions also got good minutes off the bench from
Danny Austing (6 points), and
Kelvin Turner (4 points).
UP NEXT:
The Lions will take to the floor again Saturday, as they welcome Manchester (6-6, 4-1 HCAC) to the Harrington Center the game is scheduled for a 1:00 PM Tip-off.
