BRIDGE CITY – The Bridge City Cardinals fought hard against the defending district champion Silsbee Tigers in the 22-4A opener for both teams Friday but it was the Tigers that escaped Cardinal Gym with a 80-71 victory.

Cardinal Gabe Castillo zipped through the Tigers (9-11, 1-0) defense for a team-high 25 points while Austin Richardson filtered in 22 points for the Cardinals (10-12, 0-1).

Senior standout guard Braelon Bush paced the Tiger attack with a game-high 30 points.

The Cardinals will visit Hamshire-Fannett Tuesday.