Box Score The Wabash College basketball team took an early eight-point lead, only to see Hanover rally and nearly double the Little Giants' offensive output in the second half for a 76-51 victory Wednesday night in southern Indiana.

The Little Giants came out on fire to open the contest, connecting on five of their first six shots for a 10-2 advantage. The Panthers cut the lead two points with a run of their own before a three-point play by Kasey Oetting and basket by Pete Nicksic put Wabash in front 13-8.

Hanover held Wabash scoreless over the next two minutes to draw to within two points before Kyle Aiton connected on a three-point shot. A 6-0 run by the Panthers tied the game at 18-18 with 3:44 remaining in the first half. Hanover took the lead for good with 3:21 remaining in the opening period on a jumper by Michael Van Kleunen, eventually taking a 26-24 lead to the locker room.

The Panthers came back to the court on fire, scoring the first 14 points of the second half in the opening five minutes to move in front 40-24. Ross Sponsler hit a three-pointer to end the Hanover streak, followed by a driving layup by Ryan Gross to cut the advantage to 46-21. Wabash would get no closer than 16 points over the final 20 minutes to fall to 0-2 for the season.

Hanover outscored Wabash 50-27 in the second half to improve to 2-0 for the year.

Sponsler scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the final period in an attempt to keep the Little Giants in the game. He also led Wabash with seven rebounds. Daniel Purvlicis chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

Desmond Marks led Hanover with 17 points, including a 9-for-11 effort from the free throw line. Michael Van Kleunen added 13 points. Tim Bass scored 12 and Kyle James tallied 10 points.

Wabash returns to action Saturday afternoon at Chadwick Court with a 3 p.m. tip against Albion College.