Transy (19-3, 10-1 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference), which has won eight consecutive games and 14 of its last 15, swept the season series with the Panthers for the first time since joining the HCAC in the 2001-02 season. Hanover, which came into the contest tied with Franklin for second place in the HCAC behind the Pioneers, drops to 14-8, 7-4 in league play. The five-time defending HCAC champion Panthers drop out of title contention with the loss.
Searle was one of three Pioneers to score in double figures as freshman forward Joey Verax scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor and senior center Matt Finke added 10. Finke made 6-of-8 free-throws to lead Transy, which shot 80 percent (16-of-20) from the charity stripe in the game. The Pioneers posted an impressive 13 steals to just three by the Panthers.
Transy's offense was led by a balanced attack, finishing 28-of-61 from the field for the game. Senior guard Tyler Smithart added nine points, and Bryan Howard and Robert Pendleton each added eight.
Hanover, which led 39-38 at halftime, held a 50-44 advantage with 14:50 remaining before the Pioneers went on an 8-0 run over the next 3:17 that was capped off by two free-throws from Howard to give Transy a 52-50 edge. The Pioneers continued to hold a lead, but the Panthers kept close and pulled ahead 65-64 with 3:27 left. Searle then made back-to-back baskets to put Transy ahead 68-65 with 2:07 left on the clock. Hanover narrowed the score to one, 68-67, but Searle sank a jumper from the right wing with 1:11 left to give the Pioneers a 70-67 advantage that they would not relinquish. TU made 6-of-6 free throws down the stretch to ice the win.
The Pioneers play their final regular season road game on Saturday, traveling to Manchester for a 3 p.m. match-up.