BISHOP BADGER VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM — Pictured are front row, from left to right, Manager Gizel Morales, Jacob Beltran, Daniel Hinojosa, Eric Barrientes, Dave Gonzalez, Manager Chrissy Gonzalez; back row, Assistant Coach William Johnson, Johnathan Villarreal, Jacob Ortegon, Grant Michalk, Head Coach Mike Suarez, A.J. Gaona, Brandon Haddy, Robert Gaona, and Assistant Coach Gary Unterbrink. Not pictured are managers Danielle Simon and Elizabeth Pierce. (Photo by Perez Photos) The Bishop Badgers varsity basketball season ended with a 95-90 heartbreaking loss to the Cotulla Cowboys in the bidistrict playoff round on Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Three Rivers.

It was like watching an NBA all-star game, all offense and very little defense.

The Badgers gained the early advantage, nearly going up by 20 points during the opening period.

Unfortunately for the Badgers, the Cowboys never put their heads down and fought back with their outside shooting to narrow the Bishop lead by halftime.

With the momentum on the Cotulla side, the Cowboys continued to hit three pointers and pressured the Badgers on defense.

The Badgers held on to a six point lead at the end of three periods with a 68-62 score.

In the fourth period, the Cowboys gained the lead and held a 10 point advantage over the Badgers.

Bishop fought back, cutting the lead to four points, but time was not on their side, eventually losing 95-90 as time expired.

“I am proud of the guys for working hard all season long, its tough to play such a great game and end up walking away with a loss,” Bishop Badgers Head Coach Mike Suarez said.

Leading the Badgers was Jacob Beltran with 22 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Also contributing to the Bishop effort were Dave Gonzalez with 21 points and four assists; Grant Michalk with 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal; A.J. Gaona with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal; Robert Gaona with 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one block; Jacob Ortegon with four points, four assists and three rebounds and Eric Barrientes with two rebounds.