PHOTOS

HANOVER, Ind. – Senior Kasin Spay tallied 29 points including 18 in the first half, but the Hanover Panthers escaped with an 80-78 victory over the Earlham College women's basketball team in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) at Collier Arena on Saturday.

The first half was played within a 12-point with each team holding six-point leads. The Panthers took a 26-20 lead with 5:33 to play in the first half, but the Quakers bounced back with a 12-0 over the next three minutes using baskets from Spay, junior Hannah Franklin, and junior Shania Feathers. Hanover got back within three points, but a triple from senior Kiara Scott gave the Quakers a 35-29 edge at halftime.

Both teams showed their offensive potency in the third quarter as Hanover scored 32 points and Earlham 30.

The Hanover defense stiffened in the fourth quarter as Earlham scored just two points in the first six minutes. Freshman Rachel Wilkins finally broke the deadlock with a layup to tie the contest 69-69. After the teams traded baskets, junior Maya Luney and sophomore Mariah Flynn scored on consecutive possessions to put the Quakers in front by four points, 73-69.

The Panthers scored the next seven points, however, to regain a three-point edge. Junior Lexi McFarland hit a layup to get the Quakers within a single point, and the defense followed suit, forcing a turnover to give Earlham possession with 35 seconds left.

The Quakers failed to convert, however, and a turnover and Hanover connecting on free throws late gave the Panthers the victory. Franklin finished with eight points, five assists, and four rebounds.

Spay set a season-high in points with her 29-point effort. Scott added 12 points as the other Quaker to finish in double figures.

Allison Nash led the way for Hanover with 22 points and eight rebounds.

Both teams shot over 40 percent from the field. The Quakers also connected on 7-12 three-point attempts and hit 7-11 free throws. The Panthers were 5-16 from three-point range and just 21-40 from the charity stripe.

Earlham won the rebounding battle 45-32. The Quakers also dished out 18 assists and committed 26 turnovers while Hanover had nine assists and 14 turnovers.

The Quakers return home on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. game against Defiance.