Behind key baskets down the stretch by Panthers Henry Domercant and Jesse Mackinson, the men’s basketball team was able to hold off a hot shooting Eastern Kentucky team 89-80.

With the Eastern down nine points and 10 minutes left to play and Colonels forward Lavoris Jerry (game-high 41 points) scoring at will, it seemed as if the Panthers 13-game home winning streak was coming to an end. But Domercant scored 11 of his 13 points in the final 9 minutes of the game and Eastern was able to find Mackinson in the middle of the Colonels zone for nine points to help give the Panthers their 14th straight home victory.

“In my opinion, Eastern Kentucky did not play like a 1-14

team tonight,” Panther head coach Rick Samuels said. “But in the end we had kids step up and make plays for us.

“Henry stepped up and hit his shots and Jesse had to be our answer against their zone. They really extended their zone and we weren’t hitting our shots. We were able to find Jesse three times right in the middle for three scores.”

“We switched to a different offense that keyed on the middle of the lane,” Mackinson said. “Coach Samuels changed offense and I think we caught them by surprise.”

Playing in their final regular season game at Lantz Gymnasium, Kyle Hill and Matt Britton gave the fans what they have come to expect from the two seniors; a couple of great performances. Hill finished the game with four assists and a team high 24 points while Britton scored 13 points and grabbed eight boards.

“I wanted this win for the seniors,” Mackinson said. “They have taught me so much this year and I just wanted to give my best on their last regular season home game.”

The Panthers seemed to have control of the game in the first half, closing the half on a 9-0 run leading 42-33. But the Colonels outscored the Panthers 25-10 and took a 58-52 lead.

“We didn’t play bad at the beginning of the second half,” Samuels said. “We missed our open shots and they would come back and hit threes. They were able to take the momentum and, yes, I was worried.”

With the Panthers offense in a lull, the Eastern big men made important contributions to keep their team in the game. Todd Bergmann (12 points, seven rebounds and four assists), Jan Thompson (six points) and Mackinson (nine rebounds) carried the offense while the Panther guards found their rhythm.

“I’m pleased (with the play of Bergmann),” Samuels said. “Todd, with his athletic ability, needs to get those type of numbers, not so much scoring, but in rebounds and blocks.”

With the regular season now behind them the teams focus now shifts to returning to Nashville. The Panthers will welcome Morehead State University Tuesday night in the first-round Ohio Valley Conference Tournament game.

“It always feels good to get a win,” Domercant said. “We need to keep building momentum for the post season.”