Congratulations to the Oxford Boys’ basketball seniors. Pictured from L to R: Ryan Humphreys, Sylas Emerson, Eli Bennett, and Aidan Amin. (Photo by Julie Smith)

OXFORD – Coming off a tough loss to Marathon, the Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team returned home to host Walton/Downsville for senior night. Prior to tip-off, Oxford honored seniors Ryan Humphreys, Sylas Emerson, Eli Bennett, and Aidan Amin for all their hard-work and dedication to the basketball program. Oxford had a one-point lead with a minute left, but Walton/Downsville scored following to win 52-51.

Oxford was off to a strong first half before the break. Donovan Rickard helped the Blackhawks with 10 of his total 13 points in the second quarter, where the team scored 20 points. Oxford took a 27-24 lead at halftime. Both teams continued to play neck-and-neck in the second half, where Oxford continued to play consistent. However, Walton/Downsville banked in long three’s in the final eight minutes and that boost gave them strength to finish with under a minute to go.

Oxford’s Caden Rifanburg, who finished with 12 points and two three’s, scored the go-ahead basket with one minute left. Jared Sheridan had 10 points as Eli Bennett led the seniors with five points.

Oxford (5-10) travels to Harpursville on Monday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Scores by quarter:

WD 11 13 15 13—52

OX 7 20 12 12—51

WD: London Gardner 16, Landen Stanton 14, Tyler Reed 9, Max Dutcher 7, Seth Hunter 4, Anthony Soto 2.

OX: Donovan Rickard 13, Caden Rifanburg 12, Jared Sheridan 10, Eli Bennett 5, Ben Sheridan 5, Kyle Benjamin 4, Sam Hendricks 2.

Three-pointers: WD 6 (Reed 3, Gardner 2, Dutcher); OX 6 (Rickard 3, Rifanburg 2, Bennett).