GUSTINE — The Gustine Reds finally broke through. After opening the season with 12 straight losses, the Reds (1-12) delivered their most complete performance of the year Friday night, defeating the Le Grand Bulldogs 50-32 and snapping their early-season skid in front of an energized home crowd.

The first quarter set the tone for a defensive battle. Both teams struggled to generate clean looks, but Gustine found its first spark when Alex Palomino (#3) buried a three-pointer to tie the game. Le Grand edged ahead 11-9 after the opening frame, but the momentum didn’t stay with the Bulldogs for long.

In the second quarter, Emilio Caballero (#11) took over. Caballero poured in 9 of Gustine’s 14 points in the period, attacking the rim and igniting an 18-12 surge that flipped the game. His run powered the Reds to a 23-15 halftime lead and gave the home team its first real cushion of the night.

Gustine kept its foot down coming out of the break. Joao Palomino (#2) opened the third with a deep three, but it was Frank Silveira (#25) who delivered the knockout punch in the quarter. Silvera drilled two momentum-swinging threes and scored 11 points in the period, helping the Reds extend their advantage to 36-27 heading into the fourth.

The final quarter belonged to Gustine’s balance and composure. Contributions from Silvera, Joao Palomino, Alex Palomino and Caballero kept the Bulldogs at arm’s length, and late scoring from the bench sealed the 18-point victory — a long-awaited breakthrough for a team that had been grinding for weeks.

Gustine now heads back on the road for two straight contests, traveling to face Mariposa on Wednesday, Jan. 28, before meeting Stone Ridge Christian in Merced on Friday, Jan. 30. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.