Bishop Diego stepped up on defense in the second half and shut down Nipomo for a 40-34 win at the Valley Christian Academy boys basketball tournament on Wednesday.
The Cardinals later beat Santa Ynez 50-31 to reach Thursday’s championship game.
Elias Munoz and Noah Tack each scored 11 points and the Cardinals (8-5) held Nipomo to 11 points in the second half.
“They made only three field goals in the second half,” said Bishop coach Dean Prophet. “Free throws kept them in the game.”
Bishop’s win over Santa Ynez was a rubber-match game.
“We finally got off to a fast start. We led 21-5 in the first quarter and 31-12 at halftime,” said Prophet.
Munoz scored 13 points and Reese Moulton added 10 and was a force on the boards.
