HANOVER, Ind. -- Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference leader Hanover College relied on a strong defensive effort to improve to 10-1 in league play with a 55-43 men's basketball home victory over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Wednesday night.

Ty Houston led the victorious Panthers with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Isaac Hibbard also reached double figures for Hanover with 10 points.

Trey Wurtz paced the Rose-Hulman offense with 10 points and 7 rebounds on 5-8 from the field. 

Vuk Djuric added 7 points and 4 rebounds, and Samvit Ram scored 6 poinst with 5 rebounds for the Fightin' Engineers.

Terry Hicks added 5 points and 6 rebounds, while Bradley Harden pitched in with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for Rose-Hulman.

Hanover held Rose-Hulman to 35% shooting for the game and without a made 3-point field goal in a strong defensive effort.  The Panthers narrowly outrebounded Rose-Hulman 38-34 and also forced 13 Fightin' Engineers turnovers to 10 of their own.

Hanover improved to 14-2 overall and 10-1 in HCAC play with its 7th consecutive win.  Rose-Hulman dropped to 10-6 and 6-4 in league games and returns to action on Saturday afternoon at Mount St. Joseph.