SKIDMORE – The visiting Bishop Lady Badger varsity basketball team had a lead heading into the final quarter, but the home team turned up the defensive pressure to stifle the Badgers and emerge with a 36-32 victory.

The win improves the Lady Cats’ overall record to 21-7, and they stand 12-1 in district this year.

The teams both opened with strong defensive presences, and the scoreboard was all tied at 9-9 after the first period. The Lady Cats found their shooting touch in the second quarter to capture the lead at 23-15 at halftime.

Bishop came out of the locker rooms on fire and burned the nets for 17 third quarter points, while holding the home team to just five markers. The Lady Badgers held a 32-28 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.

It was all S-T defense in the fourth. The Lady Cats stepped up the defensive pressure, refusing to lose on this night. The Badgers added just two points over the final minutes, while the S-T girls put up another 11 points in the final period to come from behind for the 39-34 victory.

“The girls did a great job of battling back and winning this game. We had a slow third quarter, but managed to get ourselves back into the game with some great defense in the fourth quarter,” said head coach Joseph Grimes III

Brittany Garza led the S-T girls in scoring with 13 points. Amber Hughlett worked inside for 10 markers. Kathy Acosta finished with six points, while D’Anne Wilder hit for five. Samantha Minter added four points, and Tamara Merritt closed out the scoring with one.

The S-T Lady Cats have already secured their fifth district title this year and finished the regular season on Tuesday night in Refugio.