Box Score

William Barber scored a game-high 23 points, but it was not enough as the Spalding University men's basketball team fell at Hanover College 79-61 Monday night.

The Golden Eagles were in the game through the first five minutes, playing the Panthers to a 6-6 tie at the 15:18 mark in the first half, but Hanover controlled the game the rest of the way.

Hanover guard Kyle James drilled a trio of three-pointers, sparking 10-3 Panther run to give Hanover a 19-11 lead with 11:31 to play in the half.

Back-to-back Barber jumpers cut SU's deficit to six at 21-15, but Hanover point guard Tim Bass took control, scoring 11 of Hanover's 21 points to close the half, sending Spalding into the locker room at halftime trailing 41-26.

The Golden Eagles shot 34.6% from the field and were limited to one assist in the first half, while Hanover shot 45.2%, including 45.5% from behind the arc and dished out eight dimes.

Hanover opened the second half scoring four straight points, increasing their lead to 19. The Golden Eagles battled back to cut the Panther lead to 12 on three Brandon Goeing free throws with 12:20 to play, but could not get any closer as Hanover went on to win 79-61.

The Golden Eagles finished the game with a 35.1 field goal percentage, while only connecting on 30.8% of their attempts from long range.

Spalding will be back in action this Friday when they take on Wheaton College in the first round of the Al Van Wie Rotary Tournament hosted by Wooster College. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m., ET.