The Bishop Diego girls basketball team is one win away from repeating as champions in the Cardinals’ own tournament after beating Villanova 48-39 on Friday night at the Brickhouse.
Janelle Kohler led Bishop with 13 points, nine rebounds and three steals to lead the Cardinals (4-2) to their fourth straight victory, three of those coming in the Laguna Blanca/Bishop Diego Tournament.
Jennifer Jimenez added 12 and Courtney Houston knocked down 11 points. Houston hit three 3-pointers, the last being what coach Jeff Burich described as the “dagger” late in the game after Villanova attempted a late comeback.
Burich also credited sophomore Kelcey Stinson for providing a spark off the bench in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals face La Reina in the title game that starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The two schools have already met this season, with Bishop owning a 19-point win last week at the Fillmore Tournament thanks to Kohler’s 20-point, 18-board effort.
BISHOP DIEGO 48, VILLANOVA 39
Bishop Diego 16 11 5 16 – 48
Villanova 10 11 8 10 – 39
Bishop Diego — Breuer 4, Houston 11, Perez 2, Kohler 13, Stinson 3, Spence 3, Jimenez 12. Totals 20, 5-12, 48.
Villanova — Root 14, Marquez 2, Henry-Ehrit 3, Hallwell 9, Kolbeck 11. Totals 16, 6-10, 39.
3-pointers BD 3 (Houston) V 1 (Root). Total Fouls — BD 15, V 14.
