Turlock and Davis High met on the basketball court Tuesday for a pre-Godinez Tournament game. Both the Bulldogs and Spartans proved to need the extra court time, but Turlock prevailed in the end with a 68-53 victory.

Things were not pretty in the first half as both offenses failed to score on easy opportunities, along with Turlock star Kenny Fraser sitting on the bench for the majority of the first half due to foul trouble.

Fraser—who returned in the second half with a vengeance—along with Devan Bains and a 29-point fourth quarter soared the Bulldogs over the Spartans for the eventual win.

“We are trying to pride ourselves on being a defensive team. We came out flat at first and things weren’t working,” Turlock head coach Doug Cornfoot said. “Davis is a good team.  Even though we play them every year, it is always a battle.”

Leading 22-21 by the halfway mark, the Spartans were clearly in the game by the start of the third, but the Bulldogs defense continued its strong aggressive play and the baskets finally began to sink.

“We just came out a little slow,” Bains said. “Once we got Kenny back in the second half, we were a lot more aggressive and we started playing better offense and our defense was pressing and helped us get into our groove.”

A fourth quarter dunk by Fraser sparked the Bulldog offense and the surge was intact for the remainder of the game.

“Kenny’s dunk ignited everybody and you could see the level of play jump,” Cornfoot said. “Then, I think we played, hopefully, the way I think we are capable of playing. I think the pressure we put defensively is what we’re capable of doing for the full game not just a half.”

Seventeen of the team’s 29 fourth quarter points came from Bains and Fraser as they were the difference makers on the court along with the consistent help and hustle from Demsen McFaddin, who added on eight assists.

“I just took some open shots and played aggressive; everyone just hitting open shots was what lifted us for the win,” Bains said. “We needed to step it up due to it being one of the closer games we have had so far this year.”

Bains was 13-for-14 from the free throw line and finished the day with a game-high 27 points four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Fraser added 18 points, six rebounds and four steals.

The Bulldogs currently have a 4-0 record going into the Godinez Tournament as they will host the event beginning on Thursday.