By GREG MENGELT

HANOVER — New Albany graduate Isaac Hibbard scored 19 points to lead Hanover to a 76-69 win over visiting Wittenburg and a 3-0 start to the 2021-22 season.

The Panther senior went 7 for 10 from the floor and 4 for 6 from the line in the win. He also led Hanover with 5 assists and pulled down 4 rebonds for the Panthers, who shot 50 percent as a team (28 for 56).

Sophomore forward Matt Munoz added 15 points, Sophomore guard Max Greenamoyer finished with 11 junior forward Ty Houston had 10 for Hanover, which made 15 of its 18 shots inside the arc Tuesday.

Former Christian Academy star Noah Willams — also a senior — scored 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting along with 2 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal.

Hanover scored the game’s the first 8 points. Munoz was responsible for the first 5 before Greenmoyer drilled a 3-pointer. Greenmoyer’s second 3 made it 15-6 with 12:58 to go in the first half. By the time the sophomore hit his third behind he 3-point line, the Panthers had a 35-17 lead. They held a 37-21 halftime edge.

The Tigers cut the deficit to 6 points early in the second half, but Hibbard’s layup expanded the Hanover lead back to 50-36 with 12:20 remaining. The Tigers responded again and narrow the gap to 72-69 with 1:03 remaining, but Hibbard put the game away with a jumper with 41 seconds left.

Hibbard and Houston knocked down late free throws to secure the victory.

Wittenburg (0-3) was led by Rashaad Ali-Shakir, who had 21 points and 5 rebounds before fouling out.

Hanover will try to make it four straight wins to start the season next Wednesday when they host Anderson at 7:30 p.m.