There was a postseason feel inside the Oxford High School gym on Tuesday night.

Oxford hosted Ashland and the boy’s matchup did not disappoint. The two-time defending MHSAA Class 1A state champions gave the Chargers all they could handle, but Oxford managed to come out on top with a 78-70 win in double overtime to stay perfect on the season.

It capped a sweep of the Blue Devils as the Lady Chargers won earlier in the night.

“Game had a lot of different looks,” Oxford head coach Drew Tyler said. “The players feel like they won three games in one. …We went back and forth. Ashland made a big play and we answered it. They’re a good team.”

Sophomore J.J. Pegues had a team-high 25 points and 12 rebounds ­— eight of them on the offensive end — while Drew Bianco added 21 points and nine rebounds to pace Oxford (5-0).

Ashland (1-5) jumped out to a 15-14 lead after the first eight minutes of play. Oxford responded with a 18-point second quarter to take the 32-29 lead into halftime.

The second half became the DeAnthony Tipler show for the Blue Devils.

The senior guard scored a game-high 38 points with 23 of them coming in the second half and overtime periods. Tipler scored six three-pointers and fueled a 20-5 third quarter run.

Down 12 points to start the fouth quarter Oxford had a gut check and responded.  The Chargers outscored Ashland 21-9 for tie the game at 58-all and force overtime.

“I think we won by committee,” Tyler said. “Going into this year our preseason look on this team was we’re going to have to win by committee. Different guys are going to have to step up different games. Had a lot of different scorers from different places on the floor (tonight).”

Oxford outscored Ashland 19-12 in the overtime periods. Pegues hit a layup as the buzzer sounded to force the second overtime.

Lady Chargers roll
The game was never in doubt and Oxford controlled things throughout in a 58-39 win over Ashland.

It was the second win of the season for the Lady Chargers, who defeated New Albany during last week’s Lady Charger Challenge to earn their first win.

Christina Owens scored a game-high 15 points while Calicia Zinn had nine points. Ashley Cook added eight with Kemariah White and Cemiah McGee both scoring six points each.

Oxford (2-4) took control early with a 19-point first quarter for the 19–3 lead after the first eight minutes.

“Definitely a great start for us,” Oxford head coach Cliff Ormon said. “Kind of got everybody wanting to do their job when they got in the game. We can show them on film now some things how we can really get rolling when we have an opportunity to shoot the ball. We’re a pretty good rebounding (team) but if we throw it away we don’t even get a shot.”

Ashland’s Kaylen Archibald led the Lady Blue Devils (0-5) with 17 points and Cherica Cheairs scored 15.

Oxford travles to Amory on Friday before the girls head to Poplar Bluff, Missouri for a tournament on Dec. 7-9 and the boys will play Biggersville at the Baldwyn Shootout on Dec. 9.

Their next home game is set for Dec. 11 against Independence.