Bishop Diego girls basketball battled to a 33-27 victory over rival Cate on Thursday in Carpinteria.
After a tight first quarter, the Cardinals separated themselves from the Rams by outscoring them 26-7 across the second and third to take a 31-17 lead into the final quarter.
Cate didn’t go down quietly, however, rattling off 10 straight points in the fourth to cut into the lead.
Bishop Diego then settled in defensively and Jeisa Coronado hit a pair of free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
Coronado led the Cardinals in scoring with 10 points while her sister, Jaymi, finished just behind her with nine points. Meanwhile, Alyssa Chrestenson and Kasey Seashore had strong showings on the inside for Bishop Diego.
The Cardinals (5-6, 2-0 Tri-Valley League) will host Valley Christian Academy on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
San Marcos 43, Rio Mesa 36
The Royals picked up a Channel League victory over the Spartans on the road on Thursday.
“It was good to see how we responded and played after the last game,” San Marcos coach Devin Uyesaka said. “We came out with a ton of energy and really locked in defensively.
“We did a better job taking care of the ball tonight, it still needs work but we’re making progress.”
Rio Mesa went on a strong run in the fourth quarter but the comeback effort fell short as the Royals’ defense made clutch stops down the stretch.
Jada Ahmad led San Marcos with 12 points while Gianna Mandarino finished with 10.
Ventura 53, Dos Pueblos 43
The Chargers dropped a road matchup to the Cougars on Thursday.
It was a tight battle throughout the opening half, but Ventura’s defense held Dos Pueblos to just two points in the third quarter to pull away.
Despite a 20-point Charger effort in the fourth quarter, the comeback fell 10 points short to give them their second loss in as many league games.
Taylor Grant turned in a strong all-around performance for Dos Pueblos with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists.
“Credit to Ventura for playing a very good game. They came out ready to compete at a high level,” Dos Pueblos coach Manny Murillo said. “The first half was tough for us. We lacked the competitive fire that you need to win big league games especially on the road.
“I believe they have it within them but we didn’t have it tonight… I was proud of the way they fought back in the fourth quarter but we’re too good of a team to put ourselves in holes like we do.”
The Chargers (3-5, 0-2 CL) will now take on Westlake in a non-league game on Friday.
Pacifica 54, Santa Barbara High 32
The Dons fell to the Tritons in a Channel League matchup inside JR Richards Gym on Thursday.
Pacifica jumped out to a 17-4 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, cruising to the lopsided win.
“We struggle to follow a game plan until the middle of the second quarter each game,” Santa Barbara High coach Andrew Butcher said. “If we can focus on what we need to do from the opening tip, I think we have a chance to be pretty solid.”
Dayzia Mendoza took on the bulk of the scoring for the Dons with 25 points to go along with nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Ella Popovich hauled in 12 rebounds and had a strong game in the paint.
Santa Barbara High will be on the road on Tuesday for a matchup with Buena.
Nordhoff 48, Carpinteria High 42
The Warriors suffered their first Citrus Coast League loss of the season to Nordhoff on Thursday.
After a slow first quarter that ended with the Rangers leading 8-4, Carpinteria High turned it up in the second quarter and grabbed a 19-16 lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair that ended with the two sides deadlocked at 33-33.
The Warriors held a 39-33 lead with five minutes to go, but Nordhoff came through in the clutch to pull out the league victory.
“Though we gave a good effort we missed several scoring opportunities down the stretch which we were not able to overcome,” Carpinteria High coach Henry Gonzales said. “I have to do a better job of coaching the girls to know how to play a tough game down the stretch. We will continue to work and get better.”
Jamaica Cook (13), Charlotte Cooney (11) and Maritza Alpizar (10) reached double figures in scoring for the Warriors.
Carpinteria (4-3, 1-1 CCL) will now take Winter Break off and resume the season on Jan. 4 against Santa Maria.