Bishop Diego’s boys basketball team was at full strength for the first time this season on Monday, and the Cardinals responded by taking a 33-25 lead after two quarters.
But that strength dwindled in the second half as St. Bonaventure came back and kept the Cardinals from winning their first game of the season 61-53.
“It was nice to see them out there. We played with a lot of energy,” said Bishop head coach Dean Prophet of having his whole team available.
Part of the Cardinals’ problems in the second half stemmed from foul trouble, which brought Bishop back to the predicament of not having everyone available.
Elias Munoz racked up 18 points and Nolan Tisdale totaled 11 points and eight rebounds. San Kwock scored eight in his season debut.
“We competed the whole game,” Prophet said.
The Cardinals still led 44-40 at the end of the third quarter but the Seraphs closed out the game on a 21-9 run.
St. Bonaventure’s Patrick Weigel led all scorers with 21.
“They did the best they could on him but when he got in the paint it was pretty much a done deal,” Prophet said.
Bishop Diego can get that first win against Fillmore in Friday’s opener of the Bashore Tournament at Carpinteria High School.
