FTC Men's Basketball Finish the Season with a Win

The Five Towns College Men’s Basketball team delivered a dominant performance last night at the FTC Gymnasium, defeating Touro College with a final score of 91-67. The Sound showcased their offensive firepower and defensive tenacity, improving their record to 4-17 on the season.

From the opening tip, Five Towns College set the tone with a balanced attack and relentless energy. The Sound led 44-39 at halftime and exploded in the second half, outscoring Touro 47-28 to secure the decisive victory. The team’s 46.5% shooting from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc proved too much for Touro to handle.

Standout Performances

Junior forward Tayron Bangs led the charge for Five Towns, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a clutch three-pointer. Bangs also contributed 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, showcasing his all-around impact on the game. Senior guard Malik Moore was a force off the bench, recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while adding 3 blocks to anchor the defense.

The starting lineup also made significant contributions. Eian Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Ahmad McKnight nearly notched a double-double of his own, finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Patrick Harrington rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, including two three-pointers.

Defensive Intensity

The Sound’s defense was equally impressive, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 23 points. Five Towns College also held Touro to just 32.5% shooting from the field and a dismal 9.1% from three-point range. The team’s 11 steals and 3 blocks disrupted Touro’s offensive flow throughout the game.

Coach’s Perspective

Coach Drzal praised the team’s effort and execution after the game. “This was a complete team win,” he said. “Our guys came out with energy, stuck to the game plan, and played with heart. Tayron and Malik were outstanding, but this victory was a result of everyone contributing. We’re proud of the effort and hope to build on this momentum.”

Key Stats

• Field Goal Shooting: Five Towns shot 46.5% (33-71) compared to Touro’s 32.5% (26-80).

• Three-Point Shooting: The Sound hit 8-of-22 (36.4%) from beyond the arc, while Touro struggled, making just 2-of-22 (9.1%).

• Rebounding: Five Towns narrowly edged Touro 51-53 in rebounds, with Malik Moore’s 11 boards leading the way.

• Bench Production: The Sound’s reserves outscored Touro’s bench 28-25, with Malik Moore’s 22 points leading the charge.

The victory closes out a tough first season for the Sound as they competed in the USCAA Division 1 for the first time. However, with a strong off-season and new recruits coming in the sky's the limit for next year!