Five Towns College Falls to Berkeley in Tough Road Loss
The Five Towns College men's basketball team struggled to find their rhythm in an 84 -57 defeat against Berkeley at Achievement First Brooklyn High School. Despite a valiant effort, the Sound couldn’t overcome a dominant first half by the host team.
Five Towns College Falls to Berkeley in Tough Road Loss, 84–57
January 16, 2025 – The Five Towns College men's basketball team struggled to find their rhythm in an 84–57 defeat against Berkeley at Achievement First Brooklyn High School. Despite a valiant effort, the Sound couldn’t overcome a dominant first half by the host team.
Berkeley stormed out to an early lead, outscoring Five Towns 52–24 in the first half, fueled by their superior rebounding and efficient shooting. The Sound showed resilience in the second half, narrowing the deficit with a 33-point performance, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
Key Performers for Five Towns
Tayron Bangs led the way for the Sound with 15 points and 6 rebounds. His aggressive play helped keep the team competitive.
Ahmad McKnight was another bright spot, contributing 14 points and 7 rebounds. McKnight's work on the boards and in the paint added much-needed energy to the team.
Eian Williams chipped in with 12 points and 7 rebounds, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, demonstrating his ability to stretch the floor.
Berkeley’s Dominance
Berkeley’s front court was formidable, highlighted by Justyce Coleman, who posted a monstrous double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Ike Sheppard added 15 points and 9 rebounds in just 13 minutes, while DeMarco Watson tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
The host team capitalized on their size advantage, outrebounding Five Towns 63–37, including 31 offensive boards. They also moved the ball effectively, recording 19 assists compared to Five Towns' 11, and committed just 3 turnovers to Five Towns’ 20.
Coaches’ Comments
“We struggled to take care of the ball and gave up too many second-chance opportunities,” said Five Towns head coach Drzal. “We’ll use this as a learning experience and come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead
The loss drops Five Towns College to 2-8, but the team remains optimistic as they prepare to host Touro College on January 22, 2025. Coach Drzal emphasized the need for improved ball security and rebounding in their next game.
Fader's Favorite Player of the Game is Ahmad McKnight: He scored 14 points, 1 steal, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 7 rebounds 