From Washington University Athletics
The No. 20-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team put together its best defensive effort of the season in an 81-61 win over Hanover College in the 2016-17 home opener Wednesday.
WashU improved to 3-0 with the win, while Hanover fell to 3-1. WashU has won eight-straight games dating back to last year, the second longest winning streak in all of college basketball (Villanova, 11).
Hanover, who scored 90 or more points in each of its first three games, was limited to 37.1 percent (23-of-62) shooting from the field in the loss. WashU had six blocks and held the Panthers to 6-of-20 shooting from beyond the arc.
Junior Andrew Sanders led the Bears with a season-high 21 points and eight rebounds, while senior Michael Bregman added a season-best 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Junior David Schmelter added four points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
The Bears jumped out to an 8-6 lead after back-to-back jams from Sanders and junior David Schmelter. A three-point by freshman Matt Nester tied the contest 15-15 with 10:50 to play.
The score was tied with less than 10 minutes to play when the Bears went on a 14-2 run to take a 33-19 lead with 2:57 to play. Sanders had seven of the 14 points for the Bears during the run.
WashU took its largest lead of the half at 40-24 following a three from the wing by junior Jake Knupp.
WashU shot 46.7 percent (14-of-30) from the field in the first half, as Sanders poured in 15 points. The Bears defense limited Hanover to 1-of-8 from three-point range and had five blocks in the opening 20 minutes of play.
The Bears opened the second half by scoring the first five points to open up a 19-point advantage. WashU took its largest lead at 60-35 with 9:48 left in the contest after Sanders hit a pair of free-throws.
Wes McKinney had 14 points to lead Hanover, while Lucas Miller added 10.
WashU outrebounded Hanover 53-27, and had a 22-11 advantage in second-chance points. The Bears also had a season-high 20 assists.
WashU plays its third road game of the year on Sunday, Nov. 27, at No. 18 Augustana College. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. in Rock Island, Ill.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: Hanover and WashU have split four all-time meetings, with the Bears winning the last two … The Bears are off to a 3-0 start for the fifth-straight season … The win for head coach Mark Edwards' was the 645thof his career.