Moorpark Puts a Chill on Oxnard in Overtime

Revenge is a recipe best served cold. And cold is the best word to describe the Oxnard College men’s basketball team’s shooting Saturday night.

The Condors made only eight of 31 shots in the first half and lost in overtime, 62-59, to Moorpark, which moved into a first place tie in the Western State Conference Northern Division and avenged a 79-75 loss at Moorpark in January.

Sophomore guard O.J. Thomas had 15 points and Trevor Lorz scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half for the Raiders (19-7, 4-2 in division play).

Forward Brian Smith converted a fast-break layup to end a 5-0 Moorpark run that put the Raiders ahead, 61-57, with 37 seconds remaining in overtime.

Omar McCarter was fouled and sank both free throws to cut Moorpark’s lead to 61-59. Lorz added one of two free throws.

Bernabe Simon missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer for Oxnard (17-8, 4-2).

Simon had 19 points in the first meeting but was held to nine points--all three-pointers--this time.

Oxnard missed two fast-break opportunities in the final minute of the first half that would have tied the game. Sophomore guard Edward Cooke was called for a charge to nullify a reverse layup with 19 seconds left, then Massie missed a layup as time expired.

Oxnard was committing fouls as quickly as it was making baskets in the second half. The Condors committed 16 of their 25 fouls in the second half and were in the penalty before the 11-minute mark.

Moorpark stayed in the game in the second half by making 12 of 15 free throws.

Simon hit a three-pointer to give Oxnard a 52-51 lead, then Kenny Plummer fouled out and Chris Massie sank the first of two free throws to increase Oxnard’s lead to 53-51 with 26 seconds left in regulation.

On Moorpark’s next possession, Massie, a 6-foot-8, 255-pound freshman, stole the ball, dribbled the length of the court and was fouled by Lorz. He sank the first of two free throws to increase the Condors’ lead to 54-51.

After each team failed to score on its next possession, Moorpark was awarded the ball underneath Oxnard’s basket when the ball flew out of bounds as Massie and Simmagin Smith fought for a rebound with eight seconds left.

Thomas hit a three-pointer as time expired to force overtime.

“The ball got tipped away and T.K. Reed saw me in the corner and gave me a great pass,” Thomas said. “I just took my time and went for it. We came out lackadaisical last time we played them, so we came here with something to prove.”