HANOVER – For Hanover, it almost had a horror movie-like ending.
The Indians opened the door inviting Hingham in, but closed it on the Harborwomen when it mattered most.
Hanover had a 17-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate down to two, but hung on late by finishing off Hingham with a 10-2 run to earn a Patriot League win, 51-43, on Tuesday at Amaral Gymnasium.
“It was a tough fought battle for us and we knew it was going to be a battle,” said Hanover coach Brian Fisher. “They’re a very, very good team as are we. … We got their best effort, but it did get a little scary.”
Behind the playmaking of senior guard Megan Dixon, who finished with a team-high 12 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists, Hanover (3-1) opened up its largest lead of the game, 43-26, early in the fourth quarter.
But Hingham (2-1) then got a boost from an unlikely source. Five-foot-one freshman guard Grace Bennis all of a sudden got hot from beyond the arc to spark a 15-0 run for the Harborwomen.
Bennis got it all started by scoring eight straight points in a matter of 45 seconds followed by baskets from Shannon Joyce (nine points) and Abby Landry (12 points, 10 rebounds) to get to within five, 43-38.
Hingham stayed with the hot hand as Bennis, who scored 14 points, knocked down her third 3-pointer of the quarter with4:21 remaining to trim the deficit to 43-41.
“Grace came alive for us and we were able to get her some good looks and she was nailing them,” said Hingham coach Eugene Buczynski. “She definitely gave us a chance to win.”
Hanover’s veteran leadership persevered, though. After a lone free throw by Dixon, senior forward Meaghan Raab (11 points, 13 rebounds) came through with back-to-back buckets to gain separation at 48-41 and the defense closed it out to secure the win.
“They responded and I knew they would pull themselves through,” Fisher said. “We’ve had that experience. They’ve been there, especially with the tournament last year. I’m proud of the way they responded.”
Raab was one of the main parts in a well-balanced attack for the Indians. Raab, Dixon and Hayley Wardwell (10 points) were all in double figures, while fellow starters Taylor Scott and Lauren Gelly each chipped in with eight points.
“I like to spread the scoring,” Fisher said. “I know we have a couple go-to kids that if we need a basket we can go to them, but to have all five starters in (or close) to double figures that’s just awesome. Not many teams can say that.”
Getting everyone involved helped Hanover take control as the Indians went on 10-0 run to begin the second quarter to open up a 22-9 lead.
Besides for dealing with Hanover’s multiple weapons, Hingham’s offense went stagnate at times, which didn’t help matters.
The Harborwomen went almost five minutes without a basket in the second quarter and nearly had a three-minute scoring drought in the third quarter, which aided Hanover runs.
And with Raab (four blocks) manning the pant, Hingham decided to stick with outside attempts, but only converted 5-of-20 3-pointers while taking just two free throws for the game.
“We were talking about trying to get looks inside, even though they have a big in Raab,” Buczynski said. “We just weren’t able to solidify ourselves inside.”
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