The girls of Turlock High cruised to their second league victory against Atwater High Tuesday night. The Bulldogs (5-10 overall, 2-1 CCC) controlled the ball in every aspect in their 55-34 win over the Falcons (2-13 overall, 1-2 CCC).

“We’re playing better and better,” Turlock’s head coach Salinda Mabie said. “This was a strong performance for us at home.”

Turlock held a consistent lead over Atwater the entire game, using its press to gain momentum and stifle the Falcons. The Bulldogs’ defense did its best work in the first half, holding Atwater to six points in the first quarter and eight in the second.

Senior Lindy Avila led Turlock’s scoring effort with 18 points, taking shots from both inside and outside the paint.

“We’ve been trying to encourage her to shoot the ball more,” Mabie said of Avila.

“I just did what my coach told me,” Avila said. “Coach Mabie has a lot of faith in my shot.”

Atwater’s offense picked up a little in the second half, draining a couple of threes to shrink the Bulldog lead to six points early in the third quarter. Turlock’s defense quickly answered back, keeping the Falcons away from the basket as its offense orchestrated an 11-point run.

The win gives the Bulldogs a 2-1 record in the CCC as they prepare to face Golden Valley High on Thursday.

“Every league game is going to be a big game. Anyone can beat anyone at anytime,” Mabie said.

“We’ve been working really hard and it showed tonight,” Avila said. “I think we can take it all the way, one game at a time.”

To contact Frankie Tovar, e-mail ftovar@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.