Lui Fernandez scored 23 points for Bishop Diego in a 63-52 non-league boys basketball loss to Capistrano Valley on Friday night at the Brick House.
Bishop played a strong first half and trailed 24-19 at the break. Capistrano Valley started the third quarter with a 9-0 run and never looked back.
“I felt our team defense was great and we got some good looks that didn’t fall in the second quarter that got us down on ourselves a little bit, which you can’t do against a great team like this.” said Bishop Diego coach James Coronado.
The Cardinals, behind the play of Fernandez, Qu’Ran Gossett and Bryan Trejo, kept battling and got as close a six points. Gossett and Trejo each scored eight points.
“Proud of the way our guys fought,” said Coronado. “We made a few mistakes and they made us pay for it every time, but we were right there. Lack of experience from a few first-year varsity players hurt us too, but it has to be trial by fire for those guys.”
Efe Gucoglu led Capo Valley with 23 points.