OXFORD— The Oxford Blackhawks girls’ basketball team hosted a tough Unatego Spartans team on Monday night in a MAC league contest. Oxford, who led at the end of the third quarter and held Unatego to a single free-throw within those eight minutes, came up just short at the end of regulation 34-33.

Both teams battled defensively, limiting each other in the second half after the Spartans led 25-17 at halftime.

Oxford came out strong in the third quarter on both ends of the court, but could not keep the same momentum in the final eight minutes.

Paige Rickard led the Blackhawks with 14 points, playing a consistent game and had the team’s only five quarter points in the final eight minutes.

Margaret Rovente and Aubrey Rickard both added seven points as ReesAnne Tefft and Raine Rovente both finished with a basket in the first half. Emmalee Reiss added a single free-throw in the second quarter.

Margaret Rovente also had seven rebounds and three assists while Raine Rovente led the team with four blocks and Aubrey Rickard with three blocks.

Oxford are currently 9-7, tied with Unatego in overall record, but are 4-5 in the league standings, behind the Spartans at 5-4.

The Blackhawks head to Unadilla Valley on Wednesday at 7 p.m.