Five Towns College Women’s Basketball Dominates Villa Maria, but Falls to Bryant Stratton - Cleveland in Weekend Contests

In the first contest, the Sound displayed a masterclass in execution and teamwork as they routed Villa Maria College, 83-50, to FTC. From the tip-off, the Sound controlled every facet of the game, outscoring the opponent in three of four quarters and never relinquishing the lead.

Controlling the Game from the Outset

Five Towns College controlled the game from the outset by establishing the tone early with a 20-8 first-quarter performance. The Sound’s aggressive play and disciplined execution allowed them to build momentum quickly. With a balanced attack from both the starters and the bench, the team maintained its dominance throughout the contest.

Five Towns jumped out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter, and they extended their advantage with a 24-15 showing in the second quarter, entering the locker room with a 44-23 lead. After the break, the Sound increased their lead by pouring in 28 points, pulling comfortably away from Villa Maria, and with 11 points in the fourth, FTC finished the game 83-50.

A key to the Sound’s success was their efficient shooting—even though overall percentages were modest (32.7% from the field and 23.8% from three-point range), every opportunity was maximized:

• Field Goals: The team connected on 32 of 98 attempts.
• Three-Point Shooting: The Sound went 10-for-42 from beyond the arc.
• Free Throws: They hit 9 of 16 from the line (56.3%).

Despite these numbers, what truly set the team apart was their ability to generate high-quality shots and capitalize on turnovers. Villa Maria, which shot just 28.6% from the field, was hampered by 42 turnovers—many of which were converted into 42 points for Five Towns.

One of the highlights of the game was the exceptional contribution from the bench, which poured in 44 points. This depth allowed the starters to maintain energy and focus on the game plan. Key contributors included:

• Layla Ford (Starter): With 33 minutes on the floor, Ford added 12 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists, helping to orchestrate the offense.
• Raine Mears (Starter): Mears chipped in 8 points and 6 rebounds, keeping the momentum on the Sound’s side.
• Danayjha Moore (Reserve): Moore provided a spark off the bench, scoring 20 points and showcasing her shooting prowess.
• Tylah Langley (Reserve): Langley was virtually unstoppable, scoring 14 points on perfect shooting from the field and beyond.
• Des Bishop (Reserve): With 10 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals, Bishop’s energy was a driving force on both ends of the court.

Furthermore, the Sound’s outstanding ball movement was evident in the 23 assists recorded—far surpassing Villa Maria’s 8. Fast-break points (22) and points in the paint (42) further underscored Five Towns’ aggressive, high-tempo play.

The Sound’s defensive intensity was equally impressive. Forcing 42 turnovers, they converted these mistakes into 42 easy points. The combined efforts on defense ensured that Villa Maria was never given a chance to mount a comeback.

“We came into this game with a clear plan and executed it to perfection,” said Coach Jaques. “Our ball movement, defensive pressure, and bench contribution were all key to today’s win. It’s a testament to the hard work our players are putting in every day.”

The second game of the weekend was defined by clutch moments and relentless intensity as the Five Towns College Women’s Basketball Team fell just short in overtime, losing 90-88 to Bryant & Stratton-Cleveland. Unfortunately, the Sound were unable to secure the victory in a contest where every possession proved critical.

The game was a back-and-forth battle from tip-off, with Five Towns getting off to a strong start in the first quarter by outscoring Bryant & Stratton-Cleveland 24-19. The Sound maintained competitive play throughout regulation, with quarter-by-quarter scores of 24, 19, 18, and 19 points, while the opposition put up 19, 23, 22, and 16 respectively. The evenly matched contest forced overtime, where Bryant & Stratton-Cleveland pulled ahead by scoring 10 points to Five Towns’ 8.

“This game showed that every basket was a battle in an electric environment,” said Coach Jaques. “We fought for every possession and our shooting was solid, yet we just couldn’t get over the hump in overtime.”

The starting lineup delivered solid scoring and had key contributions throughout this team effort :

• Danayjha Moore led the team with 11 points, demonstrating her scoring touch and consistency.
• Layla Ford contributed 17 points, showing leadership on both ends of the floor.
• Raine Mears added 11 points, while Danica Robles and Tylah Langley chipped in 7 and 4 points respectively.
• Ihari Oromo provided a steady 10 points, and Shionna Nash finished with 6.

The bench also made an impact, notably with Des Bishop scoring a game-high 22 points, proving that depth is one of the Sound’s greatest strengths.

The overtime period was a microcosm of the game’s intensity and filled with drama in the extended five minutes. With the score tied at the end of regulation, both teams exchanged baskets in a tense final minute. However, a crucial technical foul and turnover at the end of overtime proved to be the difference, as the Sound were unable to convert a late-second possession into a game-winning basket.

“Our free throw shooting in overtime was critical, and while we made most of our attempts, we just couldn’t get it done when it mattered most,” explained Coach Jaques, “It’s a tough loss, but it shows us exactly where we need to improve.”

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Sound remain optimistic about the season ahead. The game once again underscored the team’s offensive prowess and their ability to perform under pressure, even though a couple of critical moments slipped away in overtime. The coaching staff is already reviewing the film to fine-tune strategies, particularly in late-game scenarios and high-pressure free throw situations.

“We’ll take this experience, work on our adjustments, and be better for it. Our players have shown incredible resilience, and I believe we have what it takes to turn these tough losses into future wins when the playoffs arrive.”

As Five Towns College prepares for their next challenge, at home, on Wednesday, February 12, at 6:00 PM against Fisher College, the players and coaching staff are determined to build on the positives from this hard-fought contest.