By GREG MENGELT

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Hanover scored the first five points, jumped out to a 23-point halftime lead and eased its way to an 85-59 win to Kalamazoo and a 7-1 start to the season.

Four Panthers scored in double figures, eight scored at least five points and 12 different Hanover players reached the scoring column in the win. The Panthers made 33 of their 66 field goal attempts and 16 of their 36 3-pointers (44.4 percent) in the win. The out-rebounded the Hornets 41-32 and had just five turnovers.

Junior forward Ty Houston (Union, Ky./Cooper) and sophomore guard Max Greenamoyer (Zionsville/University) led the Hanover attack with 14 points apiece. Sophomore forward Max Munoz (Indianapolis/Southport) had 13 points and former New Albany star Isaac Hibbard had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Hibbard, a senior, also had 6 assists in the victory.

Former Christian Academy standout Noah Williams had 6 points, 3 rebounds and an assists for Hanover.

Forty of Kalamazoo’s 59 points came from its bench. Freshman guard Nicholas Olmedo had 16 points and sophomore guard Gabriel Sharp had 10 off the Hornet bench. Kalamzoo is now 3-7 and has lost four straight.

Hanover stays on the road for an afternoon game at Olivet. The comets are 2-4 and have lost three in a row. The game is scheduled to tip at 3 p.m. from Olivet, Mich.