Roth Nets 27 as Jackets Fall Short to Hanover

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance opened the second half on a 21-11 run to claim a 44-41 lead but an ensuing 11-0 stretch for Hanover during the next 6:07 of action put the Panthers back in front and helped to spoil a 27-point outburst from Mason Roth in the 67-62 Yellow Jacket loss.

After battling back to take the three-point lead with 12:39 left in the contest, Defiance missed its next eight shots and saw HC rattle off 11-straight points to reclaim a 52-44 lead with 6:32 showing on the clock.

Defiance would see the deficit swell to nine, before Roth scored six-straight points from the charity stripe to cut the gap to 57-54. Logan Wolfrum would then connect on a pair of free throws to bring the Jackets within two points with 1:27 to go, before a Roth layup made it 64-62 with 29 ticks remaining. The Jackets could not get any closer however, as Hanover held off the late charge to come away with the five-point victory.

Defiance went ice cold from the field over the final 12:39 of action, hitting just three-of-17 shots in that span. The Jackets nearly made up for it by sinking all 12 free throw attempts in the final stanza but ultimately saw their four-game home winning streak come to an end.

Hanover (12-4, 8-2 HCAC) was led by 30 points and 10 rebounds from Mike Case, as the forward's performance helped the visiting Panthers outscore DC by 16 points in the paint and hold a 13-rebound advantage for the game.

Roth scored 15 of his career-high 27 points in the second half, while Anthony Brown hit all six of his shots from the floor for 15 points. Wolfrum ended with 10 points and four assists, while Anthony Barnum pulled down five rebounds and swatted four HC shots.

Defiance (7-10, 3-7 HCAC) will head to Anderson (8-9, 4-6 HCAC) on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7:30 pm.