For two-and-a-half quarters during Monday’s game against Fenton, it looked like the Wildcats were well on their way to spoiling Fenton’s perfect season.
Fenton called a timeout with 3:03 left in the third quarter with the Wildcats leading by 12, 36-24.
It all went downhill after that.
The Tigers went on an 8-2 run to end the third quarter, cutting the lead to 38-32, and outscored the Wildcats 18-2 in the fourth to escape with a 50-40 victory over the Wildcats.
In the fourth, Fenton’s stifling defense held the Wildcats to 0-6 shooting and numerous turnovers.
‘Our problem again was we shot ourselves in the foot,? said Head Coach Paul Marfia. ‘We had a hard time handling the basketball, and that is a credit to them. Their guards made plays that gave them layups and free-throws.?
Overall, the Wildcats committed 22 turnovers for the game. Offensively, they only had five assists.
‘That can’t happen,? said Oxford Varsity Coach Paul Marfia. ‘That is a horrible ratio and that is definately something we can work on skill wise if we want to compete with those upper-tier teams.?
According to Marfia, another factor was Fenton’s ability to get to the free-throw line. The Tigers went to the free-throw line 26 times, compared to the Wildcats 12.
Senior Tommy Neiman was big for the Wildcats, scoring all of his game high 19 points in the first three quarters. He came out hot in the third, scoring seven out of the first 11 points for the Wildcats. He also had 10 rebounds and three steals.
Junior Chris Calvin had six points and 11 rebounds
‘Fenton coming to our gym was an early measuring stick for us and exactly where were at, and I thought in alot of areas we did real well, but I thought in alot of areas we still have some work to do,? said Marfia.
With the loss, the Wildcats are now 1-5 heading into Friday’s home game against Brandon.