Freshman guard Josh Gomes played beyond his years in a 75-69 win over Ohio Valley Conference leader Morehead State Saturday night.

“Josh was huge with his point production and the threat of scoring tonight,” Eastern head coach Rick Samuels said.

Gomes scored a career-high 18 points in 28 minutes and provided an offensive lift off the bench when OVC preseason Player of the Year Henry Domercant rolled his ankle with 17:11 left in the game.

“I knew coach was going to bring me in and I had to be ready to play,” Gomes said.

Gomes showed some of the early potential in the season opener at Boise State, but then went through a stretch of eight games without any action.

“Even when I was sitting for almost eight games, I just listened to the coaches and worked hard,” Gomes said.

After starting and averaging nearly 30 points per game at Frankfort Christian High School in Frankfort, Ind., Gomes had to adjust to the idea of no longer being the team’s foremost option.

“He was trying to get adjusted to a new role off the bench,” Domercant said. “The flower was going to bloom eventually.”

Gomes started the Panthers’ momentum rolling by hitting two three-pointers and a fast break layup in the first half.

However, Gomes showed his maturity late in the game by hitting four consecutive free throws with one minute left to seal the victory.

“I simply never have a problem with sending him to the free throw line,” Samuels said.

Saturday night was Gomes’ third game this season in double-digits and all have been in front of Lantz Arena fans.

“It’s just a great feeling to see my teammates shine out there tonight,” Domercant said.