Hayden Slaught had a big game on both sides of the floor Friday, scoring 14 points and holding Villanova star James Engesser scoreless as the Bishop Diego boys basketball team defeated host Villanova 51-48.
Trent Speier came up with the game-winning shot, hitting a 3-pointer from the corner with 22 seconds to go. Noah Tack provided the assist on the play and ended up with 11 points and 10 rebounds on the night. Paul Garcia, who was outplayed by Engesser as a freshman last year, scored nine points for the Cardinals this time around.
Engesser sat much of the second and third quarters in foul trouble.
“They were in foul trouble and I called a timeout and said we’re not shooting any more jumpers. We were gonna take it to the basket,” said coach Ray “Slash” Vazquez.
It worked, as the Cardinals (13-10, 4-5 Frontier League) got to the free throw line 35 times in the game, making 24. They went into the fourth quarter trailing by three but surged ahead. It was Speier’s second game-winner of his senior season.
The Wildcats are now 8-15, 3-6.
BISHOP DIEGO 51, VILLANOVA 48
BISHOP DIEGO — Slaught 14, Holland 3, Garcia 9, Speier 7, Gonzalez 1, Munoz 6, Tack 11. Totals 12 24-35 51.
VILLANOVA — Bean 6, Placial 13, Miner 10, Chase 5, Davis 9. Totals 18 5-11 48.
Bishop Diego…13 6 15 16 — 51
Villanova…12 12 14 10 — 48
3-point goals — BD 3 (Slaught 2, Speier 10), V 4 (Chase 1, Davis 1, Meyer 1, Placial 1). Total fouls — V 25, BD 11. Fouled out — Engesser, Palmer. Technicals — Villanova coach.
