Boys’ Basketball

Oxford 43, Cincinnatus 41 (OT)

OXFORD – Oxford battled back from a six-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to force overtime, and hit four three throws in the extra period to hold off Cincinnatus Tuesday.

Harry Oliver scored on a layup off a pass from Kevin Davis with 1:20 left in regulation giving Oxford its first lead in the fourth quarter, 36-35.

Less than 20 seconds later, Cincy’s Josh Enders answered hitting a runner in the lane to swing the lead back in the Lions’ favor.

Oliver tied the game at the charity stripe when he was fouled on a layup attempt with 35 seconds left. Oliver hit one of two freebies, and Cincinnatus missed an open shot at the buzzer for the win.

Oliver canned two free throws 27 seconds into overtime, and Jon Heggie’s baseline jump with 1:33 left helped Oxford maintain a two-point lead.

After Cody Beckwith knotted the game for the Lions with 1:15 left, Oliver and Davis made single free throws down the stretch to give Oxford the win.

Davis had 16 points, 16 rebounds, and five steals, Oliver scored 14 points, and Angelo Gonzalez added eight rebounds.

Oxford struggled on the offensive end most of the night, but stayed in the game with a scrappy style of defense that forced 28 Cincinnatus turnovers. “Once we get everyone healthy, the pressure type of defense is probably going to be our style of play,” said Oxford coach Tim Davis.