Box Score RICHARDSON, TX (02.05.09) - The 18th-ranked UT Dallas men's basketball team won its 18th game of the season for just the second time ever Thursday night with an 82-43 romp over Louisiana College, but has its sites set on making even bigger history down the line as the American Southwest Conference regular season winds down.

The Comets (18-2 overall) improved to 13-2 in the ASC East Division standings, and learned afterwards that they now have a two-game edge on second-place LeTourneau, which dropped to 11-4 in conference after falling 87-74 in overtime to East Texas Baptist Thursday night. Both teams have just five regular season games left, including a matchup with each other the final weekend of the year.

UTD wasted little time taking care of business against Louisiana College, which fell to 3-16 and 1-14 in ASC play. The Comets raced out to a 37-24 halftime lead and then scored the first 11 points of the second half to make it a 24-point lead (48-24) before the Wildcats scored their first points of the second half at the 14:34 mark.

The Comets were not finished, however, as they answered that bucket with a 34-19 run to finish out the game and claim the 39-point victory.  UTD outscored the Wildcats, 45-19 in the final 20 minutes.

UTD got 16 points from Scott Rodgers off the bench to lead the attack while Ernie Lowery and Brandon Greene combined for 21 points. Four other Comets scored 7-8 points each.

The Comet trio of Rodgers, Lowery and Greene were a combined 7-for-12 in 3-point shooting as UTD hit 11 threes on its way to the rout. UTD also won the rebounding battle, 38-28, and held Louisiana College to a 17-for-50 night shooting from the field. UT forced 17 LC turnovers.

The Comets are back in action Saturday when they host Mississippi College at 3 pm.

BOXSCORE