Oxford, GA - In their final game of 2021, the Emory Oxford men's basketball team took on the Tigers of Southern Crescent Technical College. This was the second game between these two teams, with the first game ending in a 54-43 victory for the Eagles back in early November. However, this game did not end the same way, as Emory Oxford fell 65-62. The Eagles are now 5-6 for the season, while the Tigers win their first game of the year.
Freshman Sean Osei led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points to go along with five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Sophomore Nick Nist scored 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Sophomore JT Laws led the Eagles in assists with four.
The Eagles shot 38.1% (24-of-63) from the field, while the Tigers were 46.4% (26-of-56) and scored 16 second-chance points. The Tigers outrebounded Emory Oxford 38 to 27 and were dominant inside, scoring 40 points in the paint. Second-chance points and points in the paint proved to be a difference-maker in this game.
The Eagles jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first half. They continued to build on it, going up 16-8 with 11:20 left in half. However, the Tigers fought back and tied the game at 21 apiece at the 7:23 mark. They then used a 10-2 run to gain an eight-point lead. With 1:05 left before the break, a steal by Osei led to a fastbreak layup by classmate KJ Walker to bring the Emory Oxford within three points. At the break, the Eagles were down 35-32.
In the second half, the game was back-and-forth as Southern Crescent maintained their lead. With 5:54 left in regulation, a layup by Laws brought the Eagles within 1 point. Unfortunately, the Eagles could never take the lead as the Tigers continued to score. At the 1:13 mark, a steal by Nist led to Walker three-pointer and again, this brought the Eagles within one. On the next possession, the Tigers answered with a three-pointer to bring the score to 63-59. With 44.1 seconds left, the Eagles ran a play that got Osei an open look and he knocked it down to get the score to 63-62. In the following possession, the Tigers received a 10-second violation and the Eagles had a chance to take the lead. With 20 seconds to go, the Eagles inbounded the ball and worked the ball around, trying to find an open shot. Eventually, they got a good look to win the game but could not capitalize. Emory Oxford eventually fell 65-62.
The Eagles go into the winter break and finals before returning to action against Pasco-Hernando State College. That game is scheduled on January 6th for a 7:00 PM start down in Florida.