HANOVER, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology had its nine-game men's basketball winning streak snapped in a 67-62 loss at Hanover College on Wednesday night.

Rose-Hulman rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to close within three points in the final minute, before Kyle James hit two key free throws to secure the victory for Hanover.

Senior Julian Strickland (Indianapolis/Pike) led Rose-Hulman offensive effort with 27 points.  Strickland finished 8-15 from the field and 8-11 from the free throw line with five rebounds and three assists.

Sophomore Jimmy Miller (Indianapolis/North Central) also reached double figures with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds.

Hanover relied on a balanced scoring attack to move into a tie for first place in the conference standings.  Jacob Rieger led four players in double figures with 14 points.  V.J. Billups and Michael Van Kleunen joined James with 12 points each.

Hanover pushed its lead to 18 points on the first possession of the second half, before two points from Miller and senior Alec Houpt (Chesterton) and a three-pointer by Strickland brought Rose-Hulman within 43-34 at the 17:43 mark.

The deficit was trimmed to five points at 51-46 on two free throws by sophomore Tyler Duffy (Fishers/Hamilton Southeastern) with 11:45 left.

Hanover pushed the lead back to 11 points at 59-48 with 5:45 left on a score by James, but five points from Strickland and two from Miller brought Rose-Hulman to within 59-55 with 4:11 left.  Sophomore Jordy Martin (New Albany) made the score 65-62 with a three-pointer with 32 seconds left, but James hit two key free throws to secure the win.

The Fightin' Engineers remain in a tie for first place in the league standings despite the loss.

Hanover stands 11-5 overall and 7-2 in HCAC play, while Rose-Hulman dropped to 12-4 and 7-2 in league contests.  The Fightin' Engineers return home to face Transylvania University on Saturday at 3 p.m.