Blackstone Valley Tech entered the evening 6-1 and riding a four-game win streak, but Oxford’s recent uptick in form ended the Beavers’ run in a tight 56-54 result. The Beavers had shown resilience after a mid-December loss at Hopedale, rallying in close games against Quaboag and AMSA, but Oxford came prepared and executed when it mattered.
Bryton Buckley led BVT with 18 points as the Beavers stayed within striking distance through the fourth quarter. Valley Tech leaned on backcourt balance from Dylan Dean and Ace Cupid earlier in the stretch, but Nolan Remington was the difference for the Pirates. Remington finished with 23 points and a booming 16 rebounds, doing the dirty work on the glass and punishing second-chance opportunities.
Oxford had lost its first four games of the season before knocking off Quabbin and Douglas to settle some early-season rust, and those wins clearly helped build confidence for a tough foe. Valley Tech now turns its attention to Sutton next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., a four-game winner that will offer a stern test. If BVT can shore up late-game execution and secure more rebounds, the Beavers should contend for another run near the top of the early standings.
