Notts County went down to a second-half blitz, with the U's netting three times in 14 minutes.
And it was the first time that Oxford had scored three at home in the league since January.
After an even first half, Basham made the breakthrough on 63 minutes when he turned quickly and shot low into the net from three yards, after Barry Quinn nodded forward Chris Hackett's corner.
It was the in-form Basham's eighth goal in his last 11 games.
Basham then turned provider five minutes later with a flick to set Sabin free. The French striker then finished superbly by lobbing goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington as he came off his line.
Oxford played with great confidence and Basham went close again with a volley on the turn which flew over the bar.
Midfielder Quinn got Oxford's third 13 minutes from time when he headed Lee Bradbury's right wing cross into the roof of the net. The move had been started by Hackett's 40-yard run from his own half.
Oxford entered the match on a dismal run of three straight home defeats and in the first half they did little to show they could end that sequence.
County went close early on with a 35-yard free-kick by Julien Baudet, which keeper Chris Tardif tipped over.
Liam Needham also had an effort saved near the end of the half when he managed to shoot through a crowd of players.
County dominated the first ten minutes of the second half, with Oxford struggling to get out of their own half. But after Basham and Sabin scored in quick succession, they fell apart.
Basham might even have had another as he connected with a brilliant left wing cross from Matt Robinson, but he could only head wide.