While it’s customary to write or read a match report after a game, today is different.

As I reflected on this game, I learned of a tragic event that has deeply impacted the basketball community—three players from the University of Essex and Essex Rebels lost their lives. Moments like these remind us that basketball is just a game and that some things in life are far more important.

So today’s report is simple:

We played. Oxford won a hard-fought battle. Force mounted a determined fourth-quarter comeback, cutting a 22-point deficit down to just 7, but ultimately fell short, 78-85.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic events in Essex on Saturday morning.

Report written by Andy Rowlands.