After a second half that saw the Eastern men’s basketball team score 59 points alone, the Panthers beat Saint Mary of the Woods College 102-40 Monday afternoon at home at First Mid Court.

Eastern had six players that sored 10 or more points with Kyle Carlesimo leading the way for Eastern with 19 and Cameron Haffner with 17.

The offense for Eastern was the highest scoring that it’s been all season. Until Monday, the Panthers’ highest scoring game was a 76-60 loss to Central Michigan on Nov. 13. The Panthers almost matched that total just in the second half.

“I thought in the second half, we were able to knock the ball loose with our activity and we were able to turn some turnovers into easy baskets,” said coach Marty Simmons. “I think that really helped out confidence.”

That activity resulted in 32 turnovers for the Pomeroys, including 19 steals from the Panthers. Eastern would end the game with 40 points off turnovers.

In the first half, freshman guard Kyle Carlesimo came off the bench led the way for the Panthers with 12 points all from the three-point line including a stretch of two and a half minutes where Carlesimo hit three three-pointers unanswered a few minutes into the half.

The second half saw fellow freshman guard Cameron Haffner come off the bench make his mark where he scored 15 of his 17 total points.

“Carlesimo and Haffner off the bench are good shooters,” said Simmons. “They were able to knock in some threes.”

From the three-point line, Carlesimo went 4-5. Haffner went 3-6. Before today, the Panthers struggled from three shooting 21.4%. Today, with the contributions from Calresimo and Haffner, the Panthers shot 7-14 from behind the arc.

Haffner wasn’t just hitting jump shots, though. He also was slamming home dunks, four to be precise, in the second half. Eastern’s ability to win the ball back quickly led to a sequence of back-to-back dunks for Haffner halfway through the second which was met with roaring approval from the crowd on kid’s day at Lantz Arena

“I think our depth really showed today,” said Simmons. “I think we have a team where we can play a lot of guys. Guys can come off the bench and bring some skill and talent in areas that we need.”

For the Panthers, this was their first win of the season. Not only was it a win at home, it was also a win that snapped a four-game losing streak.

“Our guys have needed a win,” said Simmons. “They’ve been competing hard every day in practice. . . The locker room will be a lot better today.”

Coach Simmons also said that he wants to build on the confidence and positive plays from Monday’s victory heading into their next games.

For Eastern, they are on the road on Friday Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26 for the Bobcat Battle in Athens, Ohio. Their first game is against Ohio on Friday at 1:00 p.m. They will follow that up with a game versus Alabama State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as well.

Nick Bays can be reached at 581-2812 or ntbays@eiu.edu