MARATHON – After a big game against Unatego, the Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team hit the road to take on Marathon for the second time this season. Marathon got the best of Oxford both times, this time in a close 55-44 game.

Both teams played consistently in the first three quarters with Marathon having the slight advantage each time. Marathon led 29-26 at halftime, holding that small-margin lead and slightly extending it in the second half. Oxford still played well, but couldn’t make the defensive stops to allow them a big run to get closer ahead.

Caden Rifanburg continues to excel for Oxford as he led the team with 19 points, where he knocked in three three-pointers. Rifanburg currently averages about 14.2 points per game. Donovan Rickard followed with nine points as Jared Sheridan had seven in the loss.

Oxford continues to show improvements in each game and hopes to finish out the regular season strong. Oxford (5-9) hosts Walton/Downsville on Thursday for senior night at 7:15 p.m.

Scores by quarter:

OX 12 14 10 8—44

MA 10 19 17 9—55

OX: Caden Rifanburg 19, Donovan Rickard 9, Jared Sheridan 7, Ben Sheridan 4, Sam Hendricks 3, Eli Bennett 2.

MA: Bryce Hartman 23, Zach Birdsall 9, Jacob Byron 7, Camdyn Kashuba 6, Bode Carter 6, Blake Birdsall 4.

Three-pointers: OX 5 (Rifanburg 3, Hendricks, J Sheridan); MA 3 (Hartman, Byron, Kashuba)