A 0-4 start to Region XIV Conference play did not prove an obstacle too high to overcome for the Cardinals.

With a 97-84 win against Navarro at Cardinal Gym Wednesday night to close the regular season, the Cardinals finished second in the East Zone and earned a bye in the opening round of the regional tournament March 7-11 at Wagstaff Gymnasium in Tyler.

The Cardinals, who forfeited eight wins in the first half of the season due to the use of an ineligible player, will carry an 11-18 record into the tournament. They finished with an 11-8 conference record.

"I am very proud of the guys for the grit they showed and the way they stayed together this season," Cardinal head coach Mark Leslie said after the game. "We are looking forward to the regional tournament next week."

Micah Clark, who scored 13 of the Cardinals' first 16 points, had a career night, assaulting the Bulldogs for 32 points.

Zaakir Sawyer, coming off the bench, also had a big outing. He scored 16, including a couple of key buckets in the second half when Navarro was threatening to get back in the game.

Makhi Dorsey also scored in double figures with 11 points.

The Cardinals led 51-38 at the half.

The Cardinals have won 17 of the last 20 against Navarro.