After losing four of its last five conference games, the men’s basketball team rose out of its lethargic state to defeat Morehead State 76-68 Saturday night on the road.

Eastern (13-12, 6-5) dropped three of its last four consecutive road games, most recently Thursday at Eastern Kentucky 76-70.

“I thought we looked awful lethargic,” head coach Rick Samuels said on WHQQ-FM (98.9) after Eastern’s loss to Eastern Kentucky. “We looked tired. We looked like we couldn’t run the floor. I don’t think we understand that we have to take people out of games early, especially on the road.”

But the Panthers’ mood shifted Saturday at Morehead State (13-9, 7-4) as defensive efforts lifted Eastern out of its road slump, handing them a much-needed victory.

“That’s the Panther team I’m aware of,” Samuels said. “There was a solid performance by everybody. We really did a good job defensively.”

Eastern managed to keep the Eagles at a distance for the final five minutes of play with a 62-55 lead.

Sophomore guard Jason Wright stepped up for the Panthers with a three-point shot less than three minutes left to play. His offensive efforts were balanced by defensive efforts as Wright stole the ball from Morehead and attempted a layup.

The shot didn’t go down, but sophomore center Jesse Mackinson found the rebound, made the shot and was fouled on the play to make the score 68-59.

“Jason Wright made some big plays down the stretch,” Samuels said. “Everybody gave us what they could give us.”

With nearly a minute left to play, Morehead sophomore Ricky Minard attempted to salvage the game for the Eagles with a three-pointer for a 70-62 game. Minard later made his third three pointer in his last three possessions with 37 seconds left on the clock, but the 74-68 game was too far for the Eagles to revive.

Minard fouled junior forward Domercant, who added two more points to Eastern’s total. Minard attempted one last three-point shot, but it failed and was rebounded by Wright. Time ran out for the Eagles and Eastern came away with the 76-68 win.

“I thought we had them off-balance most of the game and stopped people in big possessions when we needed to and showed some courage,” Samuels said.

Domercant was the lone Panther in double figures with 29 points and nine rebounds. Wright and junior guards J.R. Reynolds and Ramon Taylor all added eight points to Eastern’s score.

Minard dominated the Eagles’ offense with 27 points, but senior center Kyle Umberger also added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the night.

Thursday night was less productive for the Panthers, as Eastern struggled to a 76-70 loss to Eastern Kentucky (7-15, 3-8).

Domercant, still feeling the effects of a midweek flu, put up 20 of his 29 total points in the second half of play, but the effort was not good enough for a win.

Eastern trailed 74-70 with six seconds on the clock, but Reynolds fouled out and seemed to take the team with him. Eastern couldn’t get any closer as Colonel guard Ben Rushing stepped to the line with 6.5 seconds remaining to put up two more shots and seal Eastern’s loss.

Eastern was in a 37-27 deficit heading into the locker room, but rallied back to dominate Eastern Kentucky 43-39 in the second half.

Mackinson had 20 points in the game and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Panthers in that category.

Eastern Kentucky put four players in double figures with forward Spanky Parks and center Chris Carswell both scoring 18 points. Forward Michael Haney scored 15 while Rushing added 11 points.

“We talked about being out, being aggressive defensively and try to take some things away,” Samuels said. “We made a nice run in the second half, but Eastern Kentucky answered the challenge. They were solid with the ball.”

Eastern returns home Thursday for its first home game in two weeks, welcoming Murray State to Lantz Arena at 7:10 p.m.