OXFORD – After starting the season against one another, it was only fitting to face off again near the end of the season. The Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team hosted Otselic Valley on Wednesday for their final home game of the season. Oxford excelled on defense that helped give them a boost offensively to win 56-29. This was Oxford’s second win against the Vikings and their seventh win overall.

Both teams were off to a hot start with OV playing its best efforts in the first eight minutes. Meanwhile, Oxford had the upper hand from start to finish. OV’s Braeden Davis had eight of the team’s 11 first quarter points. His brother Owen Davis posted the team’s lone three points before halftime.

Oxford took a 27-14 lead at halftime, where Caden Rifanburg scored eight of the Blackhawks’ 13 total points in the second quarter. Rifanburg had some help from Jared Sheridan, who scored all of his six points in the first half. Oxford continued to excel in the second half and limited OV from any big scoring chances.

Rifanburg finished with 20 points for the Blackhawks, where he knocked in one three-pointer and went three-for-four at the foul line. Donovan Rickard followed with nine points as Sam Hendricks had eight points in the win.

Braeden Davis led the Vikings with 14 points as Lukas Schieferstein added six points and Owen Davis had five points in the loss.

Oxford may have played its final regular season game of the season as their next scheduled game is undetermined at this time. OV, however, plays one more game against Stockbridge Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.

Scores by quarter:

OV 11 3 8 7—29

OX 14 13 19 10–56

OV: Braeden Davis 14, Lukas Schieferstein 6, Owen Davis 5, Caleb Loomis 3, Cole Warren 1.

OX: Caden Rifanburg 20, Donovan Rickard 9, Sam Hendricks 8, Eli Bennett 7, Jared Sheridan 6, Ben Sheridan 5, Aidan Amin 1.

Three-pointers: OV 4 (B Davis 2, O Davis, Loomis); OX 3 (Rifanburg, Bennett, B Sheridan).