The Brandon varsity boys basketball team’s undefeated start to the season has come to an end.
The visiting Oxford Wildcats came into Brandon Jan. 24 and took it to the Blackhawks, earning a 59-52 win and moving into a first-place tie with Brandon in the Flint Metro League.
Both Brandon and Oxford are now 4-1 in the league. Oxford improved to 5-5 overall, while Brandon fell to 7-1.
After the first quarter, which ended with the two teams tied at 13, the Wildcats took command of the game in the second quarter. Oxford turned up the pressure on both ends of the floor, using their defense to create turnovers and convert them into baskets at the offensive end.
At one point in the second quarter, the Wildcats held a double-digit lead, but Brandon’s Adam Howard sank a three-pointer toward the end of the quarter to cut into the Oxford lead. The first half ended with the Wildcats ahead 26-18.
In the third quarter, the Blackhawks made a run at the Wildcats? lead, but the Wildcats held tough to maintain a 43-35 lead after the third. Oxford then held on in the fourth quarter for the victory.
Brandon Dugan and Tim Ketelhut each scored 16 points to lead the Wildcats, while Brad Dugan added 14. Donald Carter scored 12 points in a losing cause for the Blackhawks, while Gary Glasby sank three three-pointers on his way to finishing with 10 points.
The Blackhawks continued their winning ways with a 56-35 win against host Clio in a Jan. 21 contest.
Brandon raced out to a 12-3 lead after the first quarter, and didn’t look back. The Blackhawks led 22-9 at halftime.
Howard and Glasby each drilled three three-pointers for the Blackhawks. Howard led Brandon with 16 points, while Glasby added 14.