CINCINNATI, OHIO — The Mount St. Joseph University men's basketball team defeated Hanover College on Saturday afternoon at the Harrington Center, 69–65.
Hanover took an early lead over the Mount, but after Griffen Derry hit back-to-back three-pointers, the Lions grabbed a 10–7 lead a little over six minutes into the game. The remainder of the first half was tightly contested with numerous lead changes. Hanover hit a jumper with less than five seconds remaining, and the Mount went into halftime trailing 30–26.
The Lions got two early buckets from Matthew Menninger and Michael Loftis to tie the game less than two minutes into the second half. The rest of the half reflected the first, featuring multiple lead changes. At the 3:53 mark, Cooper Ollis scored on an and-one layup to give the Mount a two-point lead, which they would not surrender. Joe Brand followed with a three-pointer on the next possession, and the Lions went on to secure the 69–65 victory. Ollis scored 11 second-half points for the Mount, while Jay Bilton added 10.
The Mount was led by Jay Bilton, who scored a career-high 14 points, and Cooper Ollis, who also finished with 14 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Matthew Menninger and Michael Loftis each added 10 points.
UP NEXT: The Lions will host Bluffton University on Wednesday, January 21. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
