Frank Speziale Photo

OXFORD – An exciting final minute in the contest between host Oxford and Newark Valley came to a close with Cardinal’s Kyle Coffin providing the game winner with six seconds left, handing the Blackhawks a heartbreaking 62-61 loss Saturday afternoon.

Oxford’s Jake Murrer made a free throw to tie the game at 59-59 with 39 seconds left. Teammate Jason Davis came up with a steal on the defensive end and was immediately fouled.

Davis went to the line and made both free throws to give the Blackhawks a two point lead with 22 seconds remaining in the game. Coffin then came down and drained a 30-foot 3-point shot to put the Cardinals up one. Oxford couldn’t answer on the other end.

Newark Valley led after the first quarter, 19-14, but the Blackhawks cut the five point lead down to two by halftime after scoring 16 in the second, 10 points coming from C.J. Smith.

With four players providing balanced scoring out of the break, Oxford turned in a 20 point quarter to lead 50-44 heading into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth, the Cardinals’ out scored Oxford 18-10 and Donovin Beebe paced the Newark Valley offense during run with 10 of the team’s 18 points. Coffen added five before the game-winner.

Newark Valley had four players finish in the scoring column with double figures, Coffen leading the way with 17 points. Beebe provided the Cardinals with 12 off the bench while Ethan Bigelow chipped in 11 and Riley Malone added 13.

Davis led Oxford with a game-high 25 points in the loss. Smith finished the game with 15 and Murrer ended with nine points.

The Blackhawks head to Greene Thursday evening for a MAC Conference matchup. Game time is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Newark Valley 62, Oxford 61

NV 19 13 12 18 – 62

Ox 14 16 20 11 – 61

Newark Valley: Kyle Coffen 6 3-6-17; Riley Malone 6 1-2-13; Micah Williams 1 0-0-2, Andrew Obregon 2 0-1-5; Jason Graham 1 0-0-2; Ethan Bigelow 3 2-2-11; Donovin Beebe 6 0-0-12. TOTALS: 25 6-11-62.

Oxford: Jake Murrer 3 1-2-9; Jason Davis 7 8-9-25; Nick Cirello 1 0-0-2; Alex Smith 0 2-5-2; Matt Roach 0 2-2-2; C.J. Smith 7 1-2-15; Brad Beckwith 3 0-0-6. TOTALS: 21 14-20-61.

Fouled out: None: 3-point goals: (NV) Coffen 2, Obregon 1, Bigelow 3; (O) Murrer 2, Davis 3. Officials: Allen and Jester.