EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Oxbow High girls basketball team erased a nine-point halftime deficit at U-32, storming back for a 45-40 victory on Thursday night.

A slow start offensively had the Olympians (8-5) down, 24-15, at halftime. The second half was another story, though, starting with a 13-6 run for Oxbow in the third quarter. The O’s then took the lead for good with three minutes left to play before sealing the win thanks to some clutch free-throw shooting by Maggi Ellsworth to close it out.

Ellsworth led all scorers with 20 points for Oxbow. Emerson Fuller added 17 points and 12 rebounds. Ellsworth was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line, all six coming in the fourth quarter.

Oxbow will host Harwood on Tuesday night.

Mid Vermont Christian 44, Twin Valley 4

WHITINGHAM, Vt. — The Eagles improved to 4-6 with the win over Twin Valley.

Natalie Bokinala led MVCS with 17 points. Alyssa Roberts added nine and Lydia Dickey had seven points. The Eagles visit MSJ on Saturday.

Stevens 49, Fall Mountain 16

LANGDON, N.H. — The Cardinals improved to 12-1 with the win over the Wildcats. Stevens hosts undefeated Conant on Saturday night in a rematch of the Cardinals’ only loss in the season opener.

White River Valley 57, Leland & Gray 29

TOWNSHEND, Vt. — The Wildcats (6-3) handled the Rebels on the road.

Tanner Drury led a balanced White River Valley offense with 15 points, Ella Perreault had 13 and Jillian Barry added 11.

“The girls played a great game tonight. It took a couple minutes to really get going after the long bus ride,” Wildcats coach Tim Perreaault They shared the ball real well and good overall team defense. Jillian Barry had a good overall game on both ends. Leland and Gray was physical but we were very composed in some tough situations.

WRV hosts Woodstock on Saturday.

Boys BasketballStevens 65, Fall Mountain 59

LANGDON, N.H. — The Cardinals played a strong second half to take this matchup against rival Fall Mountain.

Hunter LaRocque led Stevens with 13 points. Lucas Belisle added 11. The Cardinals trailed, 28-27, at halftime before taking the lead for good early in the third quarter. 

Stevens (9-4 overall, 8-3 NHIAA) will visit Windsor on Saturday.

Fair Haven 58, Hartford 49 (OT)

FAIR HAVEN, Vt. — Foul trouble spelled doom in overtime to spoil this one despite some last-second magic from Joey Beggs to knot things up.

Beggs drained a clutch 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie this one up, 47-47. Fair Haven, still undefeated this season at 11-0, then pulled away in OT thanks to nine made free throws.

“We led most of the night but got into foul trouble and the game was won from the line,” Hartford coach Mike Gaudette said.

The upset-minded Canes built a narrow lead, 37-34, through three after a 15-point third quarter. Christian Hathorn led Hartford with 12 points. Brody Tyburski added 11, Sean Dunton had seven and Beggs finished with five.

Hartford (9-2) visits Brattleboro on Saturday at 1 p.m.

White River Valley 52, Mill River 36

SOUTH ROYALTON — Wyatt Cadwell had 16 points to lead the host Wildcats (8-3).

Zander Clark added 12 points and Brayden Russ had 11. WRV will host Woodstock on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for their cancer awareness game.

Hinsdale 56, Newport 55

NEWPORT — The Tigers led by 14 early in the third quarter, but the Pacers evened things entering the fourth, then scored the game-winning basket with seven seconds remaining.

Senior Kayden LaClair led Newport (4-5) with 18 points but landed awkwardly on the foot of a Hinsdale player under the basket in the fourth quarter, leaving the game with an ankle injury. Senior Owen Beaulieu added 13 points.

The Tigers are back in action Friday night when they host Monadnock.

Woodstock 63, Springfield 51

WOODSTOCK — The Wasps improved to 3-5 with the win over the Cosmos. Woodstock is at White River Valley on Saturday.

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