Eastern snapped Southeast Missouri State’s (SEMO) 10-game win streak with a 73-58 win against the Redhawks on Saturday evening in Groniger Arena.

With this win, the Panthers end the season on a four-game win streak, their longest win streak all season.

Before the game, seven seniors were honored: guards Artese Stapleton, Corey Sawyer Jr., NaKyel Shelton and Carson Prost and forwards Lazar Grbovic, Rodolfo Bolis and Sekou Kalle.

“All the Seniors did great, Shelton and Stapleton made big play after big play,” Eastern’s head coach Marty Simmons said.

Both Shelton and Stapleton combined for 50 points throughout the game.

“We’ve been hot as of late,” Shelton said. “We were out there having fun, [and] it was a great game.” Shelton said.

Shelton finished the game with 28 points, three blocks and two steals. To close out the game and seal the win for the Panthers, Shelton hit a dagger three-pointer.

Stapleton also had a huge game to close out his college career, finishing with 22 points, 13 free throw attempts, a season high of six steals and five rebounds.

“It’s the last game of the season, and I’m glad we had a chance to come out and finish strong and get the win,” Stapleton said.

The Panthers took control in the game after freshman forward Terry McMorris hit a three-pointer at the end of the shot clock and followed that with a 3-point play after a contested layup with three minutes left in the game.

“[McMorris] turned into a superstar,” Simmons said.

McMorris had a huge impact on the game, and he said he wanted to win for the seniors so they can end their collegiate careers on a high note.

“All week, we’ve been trying to get this win for the season,” McMorris said. “It was pretty good ending their college careers with a win, that was my ‘why.’

Bolis finished the game with six points and game-high 10 rebounds.

“It feels amazing, especially after the tough season we had and ending up with four wins in a row,” Bolis said.

Bolis was the only senior who spent all four years in Eastern’s program.

Eastern surprised Bolis with a video from his parents who are back in his home country of Brazil.

“I don’t even have words to describe that,” Bolis said. “It caught me off guard, and all I could do was cry.”

Simmons spoke highly of Bolis and his impact on the team throughout the season.

“Bolis was great, you can’t put a price tag on what he does for us,” Simmons said.

The Panthers ended the first half with a 36-32 lead. The halftime lead for Eastern ended SEMO’s 11-game streak of having the lead going into the break.

A huge part for Eastern’s lead was stopping SEMO’s junior guard Rob Martin, who was coming off a 31-point game against SIUE Thursday night.

“We did a good job containing the penetrating, getting back to the shooters and rebounding,” Simmons said.

Martin finished with 18 points and shot 5-15 from the field.

SEMO got back into the game with a 2-3 defense after trailing double digits early in the second half.

“We struggled, I don’t why,” Simmons said. “We have seen a lot of zone.”

SEMO tied the game at 52 after a three from junior guard Braxton Stacker.

Eastern called a timeout to regroup, and this is where the momentum shifted in Eastern’s favor.

“We talked about staying poised, staying locked in, and it’s a game of ups and downs, and worry about getting stops on defense and getting good shots on offense,” Shelton said.

From there, the Panthers went on an 11-1 run to close out the number one team in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Eastern will end the season 12-19 overall and 8-12 in conference play but will look to take momentum into the offseason.

Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at cathomas8@eiu.edu.