(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team's second half rally fell short tonight (Tuesday, December 17, 2013) as it fell, 73-72, to traditional rival Hanover College in a non-conference game at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.

With the loss, the Saints fall to 2-5 and with the win, the Panthers improve to 6-2.

Hanover jumped out to an early 15-10 lead with 15:10 to play in the first half when Tim Bass made a lay-up. The Saints answered with a 9-5 run to cut the lead to 20-10 when freshman guard/forward Nate McGovney (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) made two free-throws with 12:29 to play in the half. Hanover responded with a 16-8 run capped by a three-pointer by Jacob Steinhart to increase the lead to 36-27 with 5:55 to play in the first half. Thomas More used a 12-6 run to cut the lead to 42-39 with 46-seconds to play in the opening half when junior forward Chris Richard (Louisville, Ky./Southern) made a jumper. Bass made a lay-up with two-seconds to play in the half to give Hanover a 44-39 lead at halftime.

Thomas More opened the second half on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 44-44 on a lay-up by junior guard Drew Mumford (Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy) with 18:17 to play in the second half. The Panthers answered with a 19-8 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 63-52 with 10:04 to play in the game when Kyle James made a jumper. Undaunted, the Saints responded with a 20-10 run to cut the lead to 73-72 on a McGovney three-pointer with 56-seconds to play in the game. After a missed Hanover free-throws with five-seconds to play in the game, the Saints rebounded the ball and took a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was off the mark and Hanover won the game, 73-72.

Mumford led all scorers with 24 points, while McGovney joined him in double-figures with 14. Richard and senior guard D'Carlo Hayes (Louisville, Ky./Male) both just missed double-figures as they scored nine points each. McGovney led the team on the boards with a game-high eight rebounds, while senior guard Spencer Berlekamp (Cincinnati, Ohio/Kings) led the team assists with seven and Mumford led the team in steals with five.

The Saints return to action on Thursday (December 19) when they travel to Danville, Kentucky to play in-state rival, Centre College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Alumni Gymnasium.