The men’s basketball game Thursday against Eastern Kentucky turned into a two-man show in the second half, starring senior guards Henry Domercant and J.R. Reynolds. Best supporting actor went to senior point guard Craig Lewis, but all three players put together one of the best stretches of basketball Eastern has played all year.

The first half was evenly played, but the Panthers (10-12, 5-5) pulled away from the Colonels (8-12, 2-7) in the second half behind the performance of Domercant. After a solid first half in which he scored 15 points and had two assists, Domercant elevated his play and put up 25 points and four assists in the second half.

The turning point occurred about eight minutes into the second half, when Domercant and Reynolds drained three shots from behind the arc on consecutive possessions. Reynolds hit 2-of-3 shots and provided the spark Eastern needed to put some space between the two teams.

“The five seniors look at each other now for emotion, energy and leadership,” Domercant said. “It’s all on us right now, and the three guards stepped up and created the momentum for the game.”

The play of the three seniors in the starting lineup was a key factor in the way the Panthers produced against Eastern Kentucky. Leadership from these seniors is necessary for Eastern down the stretch, and the team realizes time for these players is becoming limited.

“I talked to the seniors before the game and I told them they needed to play tough,” head coach Rick Samuels said. “We weren’t where we wanted to be, but we are now gaining some momentum. We have a countdown for these players now, and they only have six games left.”

Not to be outdone by his fellow seniors, Lewis provided the team with solid play from the point guard position. He was able to get into the lane all night long, forcing the defense to collapse. He was able to hit his mid-range jump-shots and get to the hoop, and it showed as he finished with 16 points.

“I think Craig is the key for the team to have long term success,” Samuels said. “He has been a very good perimeter shooter, but he can also shoot over the top of people in the lane, or he can go all the way to the basket.”