Girls’ Basketball

Unatego 43, Oxford 32

OXFORD – Oxford committed 27 turnovers, and shot less than 30 percent for the game as Unatego took command in the second half.

The Spartans’ halfcourt trap allowed it to erase a seven-point Oxford lead over the final 69 seconds of the first half. The Blackhawks turned it over on four straight possessions, and Kelly Cleaver answered with two buckets, Colleen O’Hara spotted up for a 15-footer at the foul line, and Harley Judd made one free throw with 2.2 seconds remaining to knot the contest at 12-12.

Unatego’s trapping press yielded more success in the latter stages of the third quarter. O’Hara banged home a pair of three balls, and the Spartans finished the quarter on an 11-1 to lead 26-20. “Turnovers were definitely an issue, but I was happy with how we played short-handed,” said Oxford coach Chris Palmer, who was missing a starter in the second half due to illness. “Our defensive intensity was good, but they had some big baskets after turnovers.”

Haley Witchella had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Oxford, and Amanda Mathis snagged 11 rebounds.

Oxford plays Greene at 6 p.m. Friday in the first round of the Norwich Pennysaver Tournament.

Unatego: Stephanie Havens, 0; Kayla Wong, 0; Gabi May, 0 5-8-5; Kelly Cleaver, 3 2-4-8; Ashley Mannina, 0; Colleen O’Hara, 5 3-5-16; Rachel Mugford, 2 0-0-4; Harley Judd, 3 4-6-10. Totals: 13 14-23-43.