Oxford’s girls basketball team started the week strong against Lapeer East but ended it on a sour note in Friday’s loss to Brandon.
Brandon forced the girls into 21 turnovers in a 41-33 loss on Feb. 13. The Wildcats were never able to get going in the first half, only scoring 13 total points. They went into halftime trailing 19-13. They finally got the offense going in the third, scoring 12 points and holding Brandon to six, tying the game at 25.
However, the offensive outburst was short lived as Brandon clamped down defensively, holding the Wildcats to eight points and numerous turnovers in the fourth, outscoring Oxford 16-8 in the quarter. Senior Jessica Raisch finished the game with nine points and 13 rebounds.
The game on Feb. 9 was a completely different story. The Wildcats snapped their three game losing streak with a 62-55 victory over Lapeer East. Oxford jumped on top of East with a 16-5 offensive explosion in the first quarter, which carried over into the second and halftime, where the girls lead 30-16. Lapeer East began its rally in the third, holding the Wildcats to six points in the quarter, while trimming Oxford’s lead to eight, 36-28.
That’s when the fun began.
Both teams caught fire in the fourth and combined to score a total of 53 points in the quarter. Lapeer East rallied to take a one point lead, but Oxford Senior Cassi Archer hit a three to give Oxford the lead for good. She finished the game with 22 points and hit seven three-pointers in the game, three of which came in the wild fourth quarter.
Coach Al Poynter was pleased with his teams performance during the game. ‘Our girls came out strong in the first half and overcame a great run by East in the second half,? he said. ‘I am very proud of our team for finishing and making plays at both ends down the stretch.?
Raisch contributed 16 points and seven rebounds in the victory.