Kyle Hill had probably walked up those three little steps leading into Lantz Gymnasium thousands of times over his four-year Eastern basketball career. But none of them could have been more special than this time.

About seven hours after the senior point guard led the Panthers to an 84-83 win over Austin Peay to capture the school’s first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and second NCAA tournament berth, Hill was leading his teammates and coaches into Lantz Gym where they were greeted by about 800-1,000 Eastern fans.

Hill peeked through the open door to the gym and his eyes widened and a huge smile came across his face as he started up those three familiar steps. He lifted the OVC trophy above his head and seconds later was mobbed by a sea of blue and white at center court.

Hill and the rest of the players were barely visible by the time they reached the microphone set up for them. The only object that could be seen was OVC trophy floating proudly above the pandemonium.

Players and coaches took their turns thanking everyone who supported the team in Nashville and all season long.

Senior guard Matt Britton said before Saturday’s game the last song he heard on his walkman was entitled “Speechless.” Immediately following the game, Britton and the Panthers did not know what to say about their stunning 21-point comeback, but at midnight, none of the Panthers were at a loss for words.

“I can tell you it is a great feeling, and I hope you are feeling it with us,” Panther head coach Rick Samuels said as he took his turn at the microphone. “These guys refused to lose. There is no group of young men that deserve this opportunity more than these guys.”

Then it was the players’ turn to show their appreciation.

“It feels real good to be here,” Hill said as chants of “MVP” nearly drowned his voice out. “We had the littlest section down there, but that little section got the loudest. We thank everybody.”

Never at a loss for words, sophomore guard Henry Domercant snatched the microphone from Hill.

“Thank you all for coming out and supporting us all year long,” he said. ” But it isn’t over yet. Let’s keep the party going.”

Chants of “we want Jan” as well as “we want Jesse” and “we want Bergmann” filled the gym as sophomore Jan Thompson, freshman Jesse Mackinson and junior Todd Bergmann took their time in the spotlight.

After the game ended in Nashville, word spread quickly through town that the Panthers were headed to the NCAA tournament. A few local businesses quickly changed their signs to congratulate the Panthers.

Lantz Gym was wallpapered with signs made by students. And the scoreboard in Lantz proudly displayed the final score with no time remaining on the clock. It was almost as if time was standing still for the Panthers.

Even a bus ride home from Nashville couldn’t calm the team down.

“We just couldn’t stop moving around,” Hill said. “We watched the last eight minutes of the game on the bus. We knew the outcome of the game but the suspense was still there. I still don’t believe it. I’m in shock.”

After the Panthers win over Murray State Friday night, the decision was made for the team to return home Saturday if the Panthers were to defeat Austin Peay the following day.

The last time Eastern qualified for the NCAA tournament in 1992 the team did not return to campus until the next day, and Dave Kidwell, assistant athletic director and director of sports information and marketing, said they did not want to wait that long this time.

“We didn’t know what to expect at midnight,” Kidwell said. “The worst thing would have been for there to be nobody there when the team got off the bus. But it was a good turnout and I know the team appreciates it.”

Kidwell had only 24 hours to organize the event and was doing it all from Nashville, so he had to rely on others to get the word out.

“We would like to thank ESPN and all of the local television and radio stations for pumping this up,” Kidwell said. “I would also like to thank Shirley Stewart (associate vice president for student affairs) for getting the word out on campus.”

Another rally is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. Kidwell said the time and location will be announced Tuesday.