Men's Basketball
Meyer leads men's basketball honorees
Sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) has been selected the Hanover College men's basketball team's most valuable player. Meyer was one of four players to be honored at the squad's post-season celebration.
Senior forward Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) earned the John R. Collier Mental Attitude Award. Senior guard Dane Coats (Bloomington, Ind.) received the Marty Brennan Hustle Award. Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) was recognized as the squad's top defensive player.
Meyer led the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in scoring and was third in the league in rebounding with 18.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He also led Hanover in blocked shots with 0.8 blocks per outing.
He shot 52.5 percent from the field (176-of-335) and 72.9 percent from the free throw line (102-of-140). He scored in double figures in 24 of the Panthers' 25 games, including a career-high 30 points against Goshen College in the opening weekend of the season. He registered a team-high nine doubles-doubles.
Meyer was a first-team all-HCAC selection for the second consecutive season. He was the league's newcomer of the year as a freshman.
O'Leary played in all 25 games for the Panthers and started 20 times. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing. He scored a career-best 13 points in a 92-78 win at Bluffton University (Ohio) in the final month of the season.
After not participating the past two seasons, Coats averaged 19 minutes in 22 games for the Panthers, including 16 starts. He scored 4.2 points and grabbed 2.5 rebounds per contest. He netted a career-high 19 points in a last-second loss to Defiance College (Ohio) in the HCAC tournament.
Inman earned Hanover's top defensive player honor for the third straight season. An honorable mention all-conference honoree, he averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per outing and led the Panthers with 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.4 minutes played per game.
He shot 45.3 percent from the field (91-of-201), including a team-best 47.1 percent from three-point range (32-of-68). He was 41-of-48 from the free throw line for a team-leading 85.4 percent.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Inman scored in double figures in the final six games of the season. He netted a career-best 25 points against Bluffton University (Ohio), Feb. 7.
In its first season under head coach Jon Miller, Hanover capped its 2008-09 campaign with a 9-16 record. The Panthers posted victories in five of the team's final six regular-season games and finished sixth in the Heartland Conference with a 6-10 mark.
Meyer, Inman earn all-conference honors
Sophomore Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) and junior Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) have earned post-season honors from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's men's basketball coaches.
Meyer, a 6-foot-8 forward, received first-team all-HCAC honors for the second straight year. Inman, a 5-foot-10 guard, received honorable mention all-conference recognition for the third consecutive year.
2008-09 All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honorees
Meyer led the Heartland Conference in scoring and ranked third in the league in rebounding with 18.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest. He also led the Panthers in blocked shots with 0.8 blocks per game.
The HCAC's freshman of the year last season, Meyer shot 52.5 percent from the field (176-of-335) and 72.9 percent from the charity stripe (102-of-140) in his second collegiate campaign.
He scored in double figures in 24 of the Hanover's 25 games, including a career-high 30 points against Goshen College, Nov. 22. He registered a team-best nine doubles-doubles during the season,
Inman averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He led the Panthers with 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.4 minutes played per outing.
Inman shot 45.3 percent from the field (91-of-201), including a team-leading 47.1 percent from three-point range (32-of-68). He was 41-of-48 from the free throw line for a team-best 85.4 percent.
A tenacious defender, Inman scored in double figures in the final six games of the season. He netted a career-best 25 points against Bluffton University (Ohio), Feb. 7.
Hanover, in its first season under head coach Jon Miller, capped its 2008-09 campaign with a 9-16 record. The Panthers posted victories in five of the squad's final six regular-season games and finished sixth in the HCAC race with a 6-10 mark.
Buzzer-beater ends Hanover's upset bid, season
Senior center Anthony Pettaway canned a 20-footer at the buzzer to lift Defiance College (Ohio) to a 69-68 victory against Hanover College's men's basketball team in the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. The contest was held Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Defiance, Ohio.
Pettaway took an inbounds pass at midcourt and advanced to the left wing before lofting a jumper over the outstretched arms of Hanover senior Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) for the game-winner. The bucket pushed Defiance, the No. 3 seed, into a semifinal clash with No. 2 Franklin College at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, in Lexington, Ky.
2009 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Tournament
Senior forward Dane Coats (Bloomington, Ind.) scored a career-high 19 points and junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) added 16 points to lead four Hanover players in double figures.
Pettaway scored 18 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to lead Defiance (18-8). Junior forward Nick Sales added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.
Defiance built a 15-point lead (44-29) three minutes into the second half before Hanover (9-16) mounted a challenge. The Panthers outscored the Yellow Jackets 22-7 through the next six minutes to knot the game at 51-51 with 11:36 to play.
The game was tied seven times and the squads swapped the lead nine times during the final 11 minutes of action. Neither team led by more than two points in the closing six minutes.
Junior guard Heath Armstrong hit a three-pointer to put Defiance ahead, 67-66, with 2:26 left on the clock. The teams were scoreless until Coats hit a layup with five seconds remaining to give Hanover a 68-67 lead.
Hanover vs. Defiance (Ohio) stats
Hanover to face Defiance in HCAC tourney tilt
Hanover College's men's basketball team will be in action when the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opens its post-season tournament, Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Hanover notched victories in five of its last six games to snatch the No. 6 seed in the tournament's six-school field. The Panthers, 9-15 overall and 6-10 in the league, will face Defiance College (Ohio) in a first-round tilt. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m., in Defiance, Ohio.
Defiance, coached by 1998 Hanover graduate Kyle Brumett, is the No. 3 seed in the tournament. The Yellow Jackets are 17-8 overall and 12-4 in the HCAC.
Admission will cost $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted free of charge. There will be no charge for college students with a vaild identification cards. All Heartland Conference VIP Passes will be honored.
Hanover dropped two games to Defiance during the regular season. The Panthers were throttled, 103-78, when the squads played Dec. 6 in Collier Arena. The Yellow Jackets escaped with a 50-47 win during the Jan. 24 rematch in Defiance, Ohio.
2009 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Tournament
The HCAC tournament will continue with semifinal games, Friday, Feb. 27, and conclude with the championship contests, Saturday, Feb. 28. These games will be played at Transylvania University (Ky.) in Lexington, Ky.
The winner of the tournament earns the Heartland Conference's automatic berth in the NCAA III national tournament.
Franklin pulls away late to snap Panthers' streak
Franklin College used a run in the closing minutes to pull away for a 92-84 victory against Hanover College's men's basketball squad. The Panthers and Grizzlies tangled in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Collier Arena.
The teams dueled in a hotly-contested battle which featured seven ties and 13 lead changes. Hanover held a 40-39 lead at the intermission. The Panthers clinged to a 73-71 lead with six minutes left in the contest after back-to-back buckets by sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.).
Franklin mounted its decisive run in the final five minutes of action. Senior guard Dustin Marshall hit two three-pointers in a 30-second span to jumpstart an 18-6 spurt by the Grizzlies. The burst pushed Franklin ahead 89-79 lead with just 27 seconds left in the contest.
Dial scored a game-high 22 points and sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) added 20 points and seven rebounds for Hanover, which had won five straight games heading into the contest. Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) added 16 points, six boards and four assists for the Panthers (9-15; 6-10 HCAC).
Marshall and freshman center Will Conoley scored 18 points and hauled in seven rebounds apiece to spark Franklin, which posted its eighth consecutive victory and earned a share of the HCAC regular-season championship.
Hanover shot a season-high 57.1 percent from the field (32-of-56). Franklin (16-8; 13-2 HCAC) hit 59.3 percent of its field goal attempts (35-of-59). Both squads drilled six three-pointers.
"Pack the House Night" at Hanover
The Hanover College men's basketball squad will host Franklin College, Wednesday, Feb. 18, in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle at 7:30 p.m. in Collier Arena.
Head coach Jon Miller and the Panthers encourage members of the community to attend what is sure to be a great small-college game. Hanover has won five straight games entering the contest, while Franklin has seven consecutive victories.
The evening is being advertised on campus as "Pack the House" night. A large, festive crowd is expected. Tickets cost just $5 for adults, while all students 18 years and younger are admitted FREE OF CHARGE.
This can be an inexpensive night of family entertainment and a great atmosphere to see high-level college basketball.
Come out and help us "Pack the House!"
Panthers clinch playoff spot with fifth straight win
The Hanover College men's basketball team snagged the sixth and final spot in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's upcoming post-season tournament with an 81-71 victory against Manchester College. The Panthers and Spartans tangled Saturday, Feb. 14, in Collier Arena.
The triumph was the fifth in a row for Hanover, which improved to 9-14 overall and 6-9 in the HCAC.
Sophomore center Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) scored a game-high 20 points to lead four Panthers in double figures. Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) netted 15 points, sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) had 14 points and senior forward Dane Coats (Bloomington, Ind.) added a career-high 12 points.
Sophomore swingman Tyler Henn scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for Manchester, which dropped to 9-14 overall and 4-10 in the league. Freshman center Jason Spindler added 11 points for the Spartans.
Hanover shot 54 percent from the floor in the contest (27-of-50) and had a 34-1 advantage in free throw attempts. The Panthers hit 22-of-34 from the charity stripe (64.7%).
Manchester outrebounded Hanover by a 37-26 margin. The Panthers, however, committed just nine turnovers while the Spartans turned the ball over 20 times.
Ahead 30-25, Hanover outscored Manchester 13-3 in the final four minutes of the first period to build a 43-28 lead at the intermission.
Hanover led 54-44 with 10:38 to play when Meyer went to the bench with four fouls. The Panthers held a 65-57 lead when Meyer reentered with three minutes left on the clock.
Meyer scored on a layup and a two-handed slam to give Hanover a 69-59 cushion with 1:56 remaining on the clock. The Panthers hit 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Hanover holds off Rose-Hulman for fourth in a row
Hanover College's men's basketball squad chalked up its season-high fourth consecutive victory with a 71-66 win on the road against the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tilt was played Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Terre Haute, Ind.
Sophomores Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) and Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) combined for 37 points and led four Hanover players in double figures.
Meyer netted a game-high 19 points and notched his ninth straight game in double figures. Dial had 18 points, including an 8-of-8 effort from the free throw line. Freshman forward Mike Case (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored 14 points off the bench and junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) totaled 11 points for the Panthers (8-14; 5-9 HCAC).
Blake Knotts scored 18 points to lead four Rose-Hulman players in double figures. Daniel Lowers and Spencer Harlan had 13 points apiece for the Engineers (9-14; 4-10 HCAC).
Rose-Hulman built a 27-19 lead - the largest of the game - with four minutes to play in the first period. Hanover, behind two buckets from Case, closed the period with an 11-2 run to snatch a 30-29 lead at the intermission.
The Engineers led 45-39 with 12 minutes left in the contest. Dial hit a three-pointer and added a pair of free throws to help the Panthers earn a 46-45 lead with 11 minutes to go.
The squads exchanged the lead four times, with four ties, before Hanover took the lead for good at 57-56 with two Meyer free throws with seven minutes on the clock.
Rose-Hulman stayed within two possessions until the final horn. Hanover scored 12 of its final 17 points from the charity stripe, including its last nine points.
The Panthers led 69-66 with 20 seconds remaining when senior forward Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) made two frees throws to nail down the triumph.
Inman earns player-of-the-week honor
Hanover College junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) has been selected the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's men's basketball player of the week for the period ended Feb. 8.
Inman averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and three assists in two Hanover wins during the week. He shot 65.5 percent from the floor (19-of-29) in the victories, which helped the Panthers climb back in the race for a spot in the six-team HCAC post-season tournament.
Inman scored a season-high 21 points and had four assists in Hanover's 82-78 win against the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) Feb. 4. Inman capped the week with a career-high 25 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a 92-78 road victory against Bluffton University (Ohio) Feb. 7.
Inman was 19-of-29 (65.5%) from the field during the week, including a 5-of-6 effort from three-point range against Bluffton.
Hanover is 7-14 overall and 4-9 in the conference. The Panthers have won three consecutive games for the first time this season and are tied for sixth place in the conference standings with the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Manchester College.
Panthers handle Bluffton for third straight win
Hanover College's men's basketball squad recorded its third straight victory with a 92-78 win against Bluffton University (Ohio) in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference clash Saturday, Feb. 7, in Bluffton, Ohio.
Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) poured in a career-high 25 points and senior forward Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) added a career-best 13 points to spark Hanover (7-14; 4-9 HCAC). Sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) netted a game-high 26 points to mark his 20th game of the season in double figures and 10th outing with 20 or more points.
Colt Cunningham scored 19 points and Adam Foley added 18 points off the bench to lead Bluffton, which has lost five of its last seven contests. The Beavers fell to 12-9 overall and 6-6 in the HCAC with the setback.
Hanover shot a season-best 60.7 percent from the floor (34-of-56) and committed a season-low five turnovers. The Panthers hit 10-of-19 three-pointers ((52.6%), including 8-of-10 in the decisive second period.
Tied at 41-41 two minutes into the second half, Hanover outscored Bluffton 20-5 during a six-minute span to bolt into a 61-26 lead with 11:30 to play. Inman fueled the burst with 11 points, including three three-pointers.
Bluffton cut the margin to eight points (68-60) with seven minutes left. The Panthers, however, countered with a 20-7 run to build an 88-67 cushion with 90 seconds remaining. Inman had seven points during the game-clinching run, which secured Hanover's first three-game winning streak since December of last season.
Hanover vs. Bluffton (Ohio) stats
Inman, Meyer lead Hanover to HCAC victory
Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) and sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) combined for 44 points to propel Hanover College's men's basketball team to an 82-78 win against the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio). The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference clash was played Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Collier Arena.
Inman netted a season-high 21 points and Meyer scored a game-high 23 points to help Hanover win back-to-back games for the second time this season. Senior forward Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) and freshman forward Mike Case (Indianapolis, Ind.) added 10 points apiece for the Panthers (6-14; 3-9 HCAC).
Freshman guard Colton Bragg (Richmond, Ind.) scored five straight points to launch a 22-6 run which pushed Hanover into a 38-22 lead with 4:11 left in the first period. Meyer added seven points during the spurt and had 13 points in the opening 20 minutes of action.
Mount St. Joseph climbed back into the game in the opening minutes of the second half. The Lions' Travis Huffman scored seven points to help the Mount cut Hanover's lead to five points (53-48) with 14 minutes remaining in the contest.
Inman scored 13 points during a 10-minute span to help the Panthers stretch the lead to 72-61 with 3:49 to go. Mount St. Joseph used a 12-4 run to slice the margin to 76-73 with just 90 second left on the clock.
Meyer hit 3-of-4 free throws to give Hanover a 79-73 cushion with 1:01 left. Sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal the victory.
Hanover vs. Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) stats
Meyer named HCAC player of the week
Sophomore Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's men's basketball player of the week for the period ended Feb. 1.
A 6-foot-7 forward, Meyer averaged 24.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game to help the Panthers post a 1-1 record during the week against two of HCAC's top squads. He scored 22 points and grabbed six boards in a 74-69 overtime loss at Transylvania University (14-4) Jan. 29. He netted a team-high 27 points and added six rebounds in an 83-78 victory against Anderson University (14-6) Jan. 31.
Meyer leads Hanover in scoring and rebounding this season. Through 19 games, he is averaging 18.6 points and 8.6 boards per outing. He is shooting 51.3 percent from the field (134-of-261) and 69.9 percent from the charity stripe (72-of-103). He has registered eight double-doubles this season.
Hanover, 5-14 overall and 2-9 in the league, is chasing the final spot in the HCAC's six-team post-season tournament. The Panthers face the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) and Bluffton University (Ohio) in the coming week.
Hanover defeats Anderson to halt skid
The Hanover College men's basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak with an 83-79 triumph against Anderson University, Saturday, Jan. 31, in Collier Arena.
Sophomores Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.), Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) and Billy Pappas (Fishers, Ind.) combined for 59 points to power Hanover. Meyer scored a team-high 27 points, including 16 in the first period. Dial netted 19 points to mark his fifth straight game in double figures, while Pappas added a career-high 13 points.
The Panthers shot 53.7 percent from the floor (29-of-54), including a 10-of-19 effort from three-point range (52.6%). Dial and Pappas each canned three shots from long range.
Pappas scored seven of his points in the final two minutes of the contest. He nailed a three-pointer to give Hanover a 76-73 lead with 1:53 to play, blocked a shot on a potential game-tying attempt with 25 seconds left and made 3-of-4 free throws in the last 22 seconds to seal the victory.
Senior guard Mike Russell led Anderson with a game-high 28 points. Senior forward Ryne Foster added 11 points off the bench for the Ravens (14-6; 7-4 HCAC).
Hanover outrebounded Anderson by a 33-26 margin. Senior forward Dan O'Leary (Terre Haute, Ind.) grabbed a game-high nine boards to lead the Panthers (5-14; 2-9 HCAC).
Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) had a season-high seven assists and three steals for Hanover.
Panthers push Transy but fall in OT
Hanover College's men's basketball squad pushed Transylvania University (Ky.) to overtime before falling, 74-69, in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tilt, Thursday, Jan. 29, in Lexington, Ky.
Transylvania hit a pair of three-pointers and 8-of-10 free throws in the extra session to hold off Hanover, which dipped to 4-14 overall and 1-9 in the HCAC with the setback.
The contest was tied nine times and the teams exchanged the lead 11 times in the 40 minutes of regulation. Hanover led 16-8 midway through the first period before the Pioneers rallied to grab a 31-26 cushion at the midway point.
Transylvania's four-point lead - three times during the second half - was Hanover's largest deficit prior to the overtime. Senior forward Joey Verax gave Transylvania a 60-58 lead on a layup with 54 seconds left. Hanover sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) hit a pair of free throws with 40 seconds to go to send the game into overtime.
Meyer and sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) scored 22 points apiece to lead Hanover. Junior guard Jake Inman (North Vernon, Ind.) added game-highs with nine rebounds and four assists for the Panthers.
Verax scored 10 points during the overtime and finished with a game-high 30 points to pace Transylvania, which won its sixth consecutive outing. Senior guard Aaron Cash added 13 points for the Pioneers (14-4; 8-2 HCAC).
Hanover vs. Transylvania (Ky.) stats
Defiance edges Hanover in league clash
After pounding Hanover College's men's basketball team, 103-78, Dec. 6, Defiance College (Ohio) escaped with a 50-47 victory when the teams met again Saturday, Jan. 24, in Defiance, Ohio.
Defiance hit 6-of-6 free throws in the final 32 seconds to hold off the Panthers in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rematch. The Yellow Jackets' Heath Armstrong made four from the charity stripe in a 12-second span to stretch Defiance's lead to 48-43 with 20 seconds left in the game.
Freshman forward Mike Case (Indianapolis, Ind.) recovered a blocked shot and scored to keep Hanover within a possession at 48-45 with 11 seconds to go.
Defiance's Anthony Brown hit two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to give the Yellow Jackets a 50-45 cushion. Hanover missed two long-range attempts in the closing seconds before Case scored at the buzzer for the final margin.
Case netted 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench to spark Hanover, which dropped its fifth straight contest. Sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.) scored 11 points and sophomore foward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) added 11 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Panthers (4-13; 1-8 HCAC).
Senior center Anthony Pettaway posted 16 points and seven rebounds to pace Defiance. Junior forward Nick Sales added 14 points and seven boards for the Yellow Jackets (12-6; 7-2 HCAC).
The game was tied at 15-15 at the intermission. The squads shot a combined 13-of-47 from the floor in the first half (27.6%) with just three total points in the final four and one-half minutes of the period.
Hanover led by as many as six points (30-24) midway through the second half. Defiance eventually grabbed the lead for good with two free throws by Sales with 1:09 to play (44-42).
The late five-point margin was the Yellow Jackets' largest lead of the game.
Hanover vs. Defiance (Ohio) stats
Loss at Franklin bumps skid to four games
Hanover College's men's basketball team fell to Franklin College, 86-71, in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference outing Wednesday, Jan. 21, in Franklin, Ind.
The setback was the fourth in a row for Hanover, which dropped to 4-12 overall and 1-7 in the Heartland Conference. Franklin improved to 9-8 overall and 6-2 in the league with the victory.
Sophomore forward Mitchell Meyer (New Albany, Ind.) notched his seventh double-double of the season to pace Hanover. Meyer, who snatched a game-high 11 rebounds, scored 18 points to lead four Panthers in double figures. Sophomore guard Taylor Dial (Speedway, Ind.), sophomore guard Billy Pappas (Fishers, Ind.) and freshman forward Mike Case (Indianapolis, Ind.) netted 12 points apiece.
Dustin Marshall led Franklin with a game-high 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jared Catron added 17 points for the Grizzlies.
Franklin shot 52.5 percent from the field in the game (31-of-59). The Grizzlies were 9-of-19 from three-point land (47.4%), including 6-of-10 from long range in the second period (60%).
Franklin led 42-32 at the intermission and held a 57-46 advantage with 12:25 left in the game. Hanover, with two free throws from Dial and a bucket by Case, cut the margin to seven points (57-50) with 12 minutes to go.
The Grizzlies countered with an 11-2 run to push the lead to 68-52 with 8:33 remaining. Hanover would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way (78-69)
