OSCODA - Jan. 21, 2008 - Hale's boys basketball team didn't exactly need a physical game going into overtime the night before their showdown at Mio.

Oscoda didn't really care. What the Owls did care about was ending a five-game losing skid, and their 55-53 victory over the Eagles did just that.

Oscoda made key defensive stops -- the first time with the score tied at the end of regulation, the second time while hanging onto their two-point lead in overtime.

"At the end of regulation we stopped them and had the last chance to win but didn't make a shot at the buzzer," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck. "In overtime Hale forced a turnover with seven seconds left and they were unable to get a good shot off."

Oscoda led 20-16 at the half, but the Eagles managed to knot the score at the end of regulation.

"Turnovers and missed free throws hurt us a lot," said Hale coach Rich Reilly. "Not only (that), we missed 14 layups.

"It was a physical game. We have to find a way to score when it is physical."

Hale was just 14-of-26 at the free throw line (53 percent) while Oscoda hit 23-of-32 (72 percent). The turnover battle was about even -- neither coach was happy with the number there -- while the Eagles held the edge in rebounding but Oscoda shot better from the floor.

"Justin Cain and Tom Schonfeld gave us great effort of the bench," Lueck said. "I'm still concerned with turnovers and rebounding, but our effort is good and it was nice to win this game."

Dettmer led the Owls (6-5) with 24 points and 13 rebounds, with Mike Lamrock adding 13 points and Jason Jimenez 10. Robert Amicone led Hale (7-5) with 18, including 16 in the second half, while Sasa Djukic had seven points and 12 rebounds.

The two teams will meet again Tuesday, Jan. 30 at Hale.