LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University women's basketball team fell in a heartbreaker, 92-91, to Hanover College Friday evening at Derek Smith Gymnasium. The loss drops the Golden Eagles record to 6-4 on the season.

Senior, Maya Hardin led all scorers with 26 total points. Alex Martin scored 22 points and earned six assists on the night. Mackenzie Myers added 17 more for the Golden Eagles. Julie Skaggs led the team in rebounding totaling nine boards.

SU opened the game with a made three from Alex Martin, but fell behind early in large part to the free throw shooting ability of Hanover. The Panthers shot 76 percent, as a team, from behind the line making 13-of-17 free throws in the first half while SU only made it to the line once. After being down by 11 with three minutes left to play, the Golden Eagles made a late comeback in the first quarter. Mackenzie Myers and Julie Skaggs came up with big offensive rebounds allowing SU to get within reach of the lead. A made three by Brandy Hunter cut their deficit down to two points at 29-27 with seven minutes left to play in the half. Hanover's Alexis Nall proved difficult to defend earning 18 first half points, leading the Panthers who pulled away to lead 51-37 at half.

The Golden Eagles battled into the second half to stay in the game, but the Panthers maintained a consistent lead throughout the third quarter. Martin and Maya Hardin led a late SU comeback tying the game 81-81 with 3:46 left to play. A made three by Hunter gave SU their first lead of the game at 84-83 with three minutes left to play. Hanover continued to make their shots, but a three by Martin gave SU the 1-point edge at the :47 mark. Allison Nash made a layup for the Panthers, followed by two made free throw shots for Martin. The Panthers were down one for the final possession of the game. Maleha Motter came up with an offensive rebound for the Panthers after a missed jumper by Nash, and made a layup on the buzzer to win the game 92-91.

Next, the Golden Eagles will travel to face Greenville College in a conference matchup. The game is set for 7 pm on January 5^th in Greenville, Ill.