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Richardson, Texas- Despite one of the best performances in school history from junior point guard Kevin Cottonham, the Louisiana College men's basketball team dropped an instant classic to UT-Dallas on Thursday night, as the Wildcats fell to the Comets 92-88 in overtime in Richardson, Texas in a pivotal American Southwest Conference matchup.

Cottonham, who came into Thursday night's game averaging just over 14 points a game, exploded for 39 points against the Comets, which goes down as the second most in school history behind Josh Johnson and Stevie Magee, who both scored 42 points in 2007 and 1997, respectively.

Cottonham's efforts were spoiled mainly due to  an equally impressive night from UT-Dallas' Rafael Farley, who poured in 36 points of his own to lead the Comets, included an unconscious 8-for-13 shooting performance from behind the arc.

With both teams shooting at an extremely high rate in the first half, including 68.2% (15-22) clip for the Wildcats, the Comets were able to take a 42-40 lead into the locker room at halftime after an up-and-down first 20 minutes of action.

UT-Dallas would come out firing in the second half, claiming a 46-40 lead less than a minute into the second half on back-to-back layups by Regan Keogh and Kyle Coulter.

The Comets would hold onto that lead until the 14:51 mark when Cottonham buried a three-pointer to give LC their first lead of the game at 51-49.

The Wildcats would hold that lead until a three-pointer from UTD's Matthew Medell tied the game at 60 a piece at the 9:31 mark.

As was the case most of the night, the Wildcats would storm back, this time taking their largest lead of the game after an 11-6 run was finished with a monstrous dunk from Anthony Gaines, Jr. on a nice assist from Cottonham to take a 71-66 lead with under five minutes remaining.

Things would get wild from there, as the Comets broke out yet again, this time taking a 79-73 lead with 27 seconds remaining in regulation on back-to-back three-pointers from Farley, who appeared to put the game away.

But it was Cottonham who willed the Wildcats back into the game, as he was fouled by Farley while shooting a three-pointer of his own on LC's next possession. The junior point guard nailed all three shits from the charity stripe to LC within a possession at 79-76.

Farley made two frees after being fouled on the ensuing UTD possession, Cottonham drove the length of the floor, made a layup, then completed an old fashioned three-point play with a free throw to make the score 81-79 with 13 seconds remaining.

A Ben Smith foul on Cottonham with three seconds remaining, Cottonham once again nailed two free throws to tie the game as the clock ran out to force overtime.

After the overtime period started fairly slow compared to the rest of the fast-paced game, the Comets took a three point lead on two more three-pointers, one from Farley and one from point guard Caleb Banks to put the Comets up 89-86 with 35 seconds left.

With the Wildcats out of any more miracles, UTD was able to put the game away at the free throw line down the stretch and take the 92-88 win.

Cottonham finished the night with a career-high 39 point and eight assists while playing all 45 minutes of action. He also drilled a career high seven three-pointers on 11 attempts to lead the Wildcats.

Gaines, Jr. was impressive in his own right, as he poured in 30 points on 11-16 shooting from the field and pulled down eight rebounds to go along with four blocks.

The loss drops LC's record to 10-8 overall and 10-5 in ASC play while shaking up wild ASC standings.

With ETBU and Howard Payne both collecting wins on Thursday night, the Wildcats now sit in a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings with Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-7, 10-5) and Howard Payne (10-10, 10-5).

ETBU (16-4, 11-4), winners of seven straight, now holds sole possession of second place while Hardin-Simmons remains in first at 16-4 overall and 12-3 in ASC play.

Hardin-Simmons will travel to Pineville on Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. matchup against the Wildcats in what could be the biggest home game played at the H.O. West Fieldhouse in nearly a decade.