The Eastern men’s basketball team beat Tennessee-Martin 93-65 Thursday night — it was the first time the Panthers scored more than 90 points in regulation against an Ohio Valley Conference opponent since the 2002-03 season.

The last time cam when Eastern defeated Tennessee State 96-67 on Feb. 1, 2002.

However, on Thursday in Martin, Tenn., Eastern had a shooting night unlike any other.

The Panthers shot 65.2 percent from the field and a season-high 63.2 percent from 3-point range (12-of-19) to improve to 7-17 overall and 4-7 in the OVC.

This came less than one week after the Panthers had their worst scoring output of the season in a 49-45 loss Southern Illinois Edwardsville, a game where the Panthers shot 5.9 percent from 3-point range.

“We were taking the same shots as last week, it’s just that they were falling for us,” head coach Jay Spoonhour said. “We executed better tonight, and everything looks better when you’re making shots.”

It was an offensive onslaught by Eastern, as the Panthers trailed the Skyhawks for only 1:36 the entire game.

But, for a moment, the Panthers once double-digit first half lead was in question when they were up 31-30 with 3:51 until halftime.

Skyhawks’ forward Myles Taylor, their only hope with 19 points and seven rebounds, elevated for an open dunk in transition, but sophomore forward Keenan Anderson chased him down recording a block from behind Taylor.

“Keenan (Anderson) came from nowhere to make that block,” Spoonhour said. “And that is great for him, because he hadn’t been playing much lately.”

Spoonhour said that a play such as Anderson’s is one that is capable of sparking a team’s momentum, as he said every player makes a difference — regardless of playing time.

Eastern then closed the first half on a 12-4 run over the last 3:51.

The second half was never in question.

The Panthers outscored the Skyhawks 50-31 in the ladder half, behind five players scoring in double-digits for the game.

“We never have any one guy carrying the load, and tonight was much of the same,” Spoonhour said. “Everybody has to play their part, and tonight they did.”

Junior guard Morris Woods led the Panthers’ offense for the second straight game with 18 points. While junior forward Sherman Blanford collected his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Austin Akers had 13 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal.

“He values the basketball every game, Spoonhour said about Akers’ eight-0 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Spoonhour continued, “He drove it more and was more aggressive looking for a shot. I told him to go and get shots, because he doesn’t have very many games left.”

Akers led the way to Eastern’s season-high 23 assists for the game.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].