OXFORD – In what the Blackhawks’ head coach Tim Davis described as a sloppy game, Oxford led on their home floor from the tip-off to the final buzzer against Sidney, winning a close Midstate Athletic playoff game 56-54.
While Oxford received balanced scoring in the first quarter, the visiting Warriors were paced by stand-out Liam Matthews’ 14 points to end the stanza tied at 18-18.
The Blackhawks’ Brad Beckwith opened the second with a bucket from the inside while Jacob Murrer and Jason Davis drained back-to-back 3-pointers, giving Oxford the advantage in the early minutes.
The home team then went on to outscore the Warriors 14-7 to take a seven point lead into the locker room at the break.
Out of the intermission, the two teams nearly matched point for point but Oxford held on for the one point margin in the quarter to extend the lead to eight points before the final eight minutes.
Sidney made a run at the Blackhawks’ lead in the fourth but Oxford was able to hold on for the home victory.
Matthews led the Warriors with 18 points while teammate Ryan Harris scored nine of his 14 points in the second half.
Davis finished with a game-high 20 points on four made 3-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. He fell one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double, recording nine in both statistical categories.
