The Wildcat cagers started off the after-break season with a tight 60-56 loss to Rochester Stoney Creek on Tuesday night.
Oxford opened the match up strong leading Stoney Creek in the first period, but the momentum did not last. The Wildcats lost their lead during a bad string in the second.
“We just had a couple of bad moments in the game,” said Coach Steve Laidlaw.
And the team wasn’t able to rebound after halftime to close the gap. “We didn’t come in after the half with the same intensity.”
Near the end, Oxford was down by two with six seconds to go on the clock and an opportunity to pull ahead. The Wildcats had possession, but missed the chance on a pull-up court shot.
Having a great night was team captain Joe Fedorinchik with four 3-pointers. Laidlaw said his senior leader had one of his best nights ever. Fedorinchik was followed closely by Bryan Mattack who had seven points and Dave Wendt with 15 points.
“Dave Wendt had a really good offensive game,” said Laidlaw. “He got some great rebounds.”
He added that Chris Schnurr also gave the team “a nice lift off the bench.”
The Wildcats now stand 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the league as they prepare to take on the Fenton Tigers on the road this Thursday.