Hosting Cooper with a chance to clinch a share of the District 4-5A title, the Abilene High boys basketball team had plenty to play for Tuesday at Eagle Gym.

The stakes were even higher for the Cougars, who were playing their fourth straight must-win game after opening league play with a 2-6 record.

In the end, desperation won out, as Cooper kept its playoff hopes alive once again, knocking off its chief rival 57-49 in the regular season finale for both teams to force a play-in game against Wylie on Friday for the district’s fourth and final playoff spot.

The victory marked the fourth in as many games for the Cougars, who have beaten two of the top three teams in 4-5A during their improbable district-closing run.