BOX SCORE

One game you're a hero, the next game you aren't.
 
Louisiana College sophomore Kevin Cottonham learned that lesson the hard way Saturday when the point guard missed what could have been a game-winning 3-point shot from the top of the key as time expired in LC's 64-63 loss to East Texas Baptist University in front of 603 fans at H.O. West Fieldhouse.
 
It was the exact shot Cottonham took and made Thursday to give the Wildcats a 57-54 win over LeTourneau and came after ETBU's Justin Felicia missed the front end of a one-and-one with 20 seconds left. Cottonham held the ball at the top of the key, but rather than electing to drive, Cottonham, who led the Wildcats with 17 points, fired up the 3-point shot that fell short. In the scramble for the rebound, the final seconds ticked away.
 
It was a devastating loss for the Wildcats in their pursuit of a high seed in the American Southwest Conference. LC dropped to 9-6 overall, 9-4 in conference play by losing to an ETBU team that entered the game just 3-9 in conference play, 5-10 overall.
 
The Wildcats struggled to find an offensive rhythm until the second half. Trailing 32-31 at the break after shooting just 35-percent, the Wildcats started with an 8-2 run to go ahead 39-34 with 17:02 left after sophomore Anthony Gaines made a layup off transition.
 
LC built its largest lead of the game, 58-48, with 7:24 left when Cottonham stole the ball and converted into another layup. At that point, ETBU coach Bert West called a timeout. It was the perfect move as his Tigers responded with a 16-1 run over the next five minutes. Keyed by two 3-pointers and another basket from freshman point guard Tyler Day, the Tigers took a 62-59 lead with 3:14 to play. Day finished as ETBU's leading scorer with 17 points, 15 off 3-pointers. A minute later, junior forward Kerry McClahan scored inside to give ETBU its largest lead, 64-59, with 2:08 left.
 
The Wildcats responded with two baskets to get to within one. Cottonham's drive and score with 30 seconds left meant LC would have to foul in order to get the ball back. That's when they sent Felecia to the line – setting up the game's final moments.
 
The Wildcats finished with three players in double figures. In addition to Cottonham's 17-point, 7-rebound and 7-assist effort, Gaines finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Raheem Regis also scored 10 points and pulled down 5 boards but spent the game's final moments on the bench after picking up his fourth foul. Doc Welch contributed 9 for LC while Kevin Lewis had 8.
 
The Wildcats had an unusually low total from their bench – just 6 points as compared to 30 off the bench for ETBU.
 
LC finished the game shooting 38-percent, 26-for-68, while ETBU finished 24-for-58 for 41-percent. The Tigers also shot better from 3-point territory, 10-for-24, to just 4-for-18 for LC.
 
The Wildcats will look to regain their form as they head on the road for their next two games. They will travel to Belton, Texas to face Mary Hardin-Baylor Thursday and then play Concordia in Austin, Texas Saturday. LC was scheduled to play Monday in Clinton against Mississippi College, but that game has been moved to Monday, Feb. 24.