Women's Basketball National Tournament Breakdown

In the closing chapter of an unforgettable season at the USCAA National Tournament, the Five Towns College women’s basketball team fought through a heartbreaking national semifinal loss before rallying to secure a hard-earned consolation win over conference rival Berkeley College. These final two games, marked the end of the season and showcased the Sound’s resilience, grit, and determination to finish strong, despite tough challenges.

National Semifinals Against the #1 Seed

In the national semifinal matchup against the top-seeded Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo), the Sound battled valiantly but fell short by a score of 60-66. The Sound lead by as many as ten, and took an 8-point lead in to the 4th. However, it was not enough as the #1 seed stormed back outscoring FTC 25-11 in the final quarter.

Key Game Stats:

• Shooting: The Sound shot 23-for-62 from the field (37.1%) and 7-for-21 from beyond the arc (33.3%), while converting 70.0% at the free throw line (7-of-10).
• Rebounding & Turnovers: The team grabbed 41 rebounds but committed 26 turnovers, a factor that ultimately proved costly.

Notable Performances:

• Ihari Oromo led the scoring for Five Towns with 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting, also contributing 9 rebounds to anchor the team inside.
• Danayjha Moore played 32 minutes and chipped in 8 points, while battling an off shooting night as she went 3-of-17 from the field and 2-of-10 from three-point range.
• Reserves made an impact too; Des Bishop energized the offense with 18 points in 29 minutes, although the overall effort couldn’t overcome the challenges posed by a dominant opponent.

Despite the loss, the semifinal contest provided a valuable learning experience, as the Sound showed flashes of potential and resilience against a highly ranked team.

Consolation Game Against Berkeley College

After the tough loss in the semifinals, the Sound regrouped for the consolation game against conference rival Berkeley College. In a closely contested battle, and after falling behind early, FTC were able to edge out Berkeley 54-50 to finish the season on a positive note.

Key Game Stats:

• Shooting: The Sound registered a 23.4% field goal percentage (18-of-77) and a meager 12.5% from three-point range (2-of-16). Their free throw shooting was more efficient at 76.2% (16-of-21).
• Rebounding & Ball Control: Although the Sound managed 53 rebounds compared to Berkeley’s 57, they committed fewer turnovers (24 vs. 35), converting mistakes into 31 extra points off turnovers.
• Interior Dominance: A highlight was the 32 points scored in the paint by Five Towns, reflecting their focus on attacking the basket.

Standout Contributions:

• Tylah Langley was a revelation off the bench, turning in a career night with 25 points while pulling down 14 rebounds. Her inside scoring was pivotal in extending a 34-point lead at one stage during the game.
• Layla Ford contributed 12 points over 34 minutes, while Ihari Oromo and Danica Robles added 3 and 4 points respectively, each playing key roles in defense and rebounding.
• The Bench stepped up in a big way, adding 16 points to support the starters and keep the momentum on the Sound’s side.

In a game that saw only three ties and two lead changes, the Sound’s grit in the fourth quarter—where they outscored Berkeley 17-13—proved decisive in overcoming the scoring drought from beyond the arc.

“Both games tested our character in different ways,” said Head Coach Corey Jaques. “Against the top seed, we learned painful lessons about protecting the ball and executing under pressure. However, we showed what we’re made of by battling back and securing a win against a familiar conference rival. Although our shooting from outside was an issue in both contests, our strength in the paint and our ability to force turnovers kept us in the game.”

Coach Jaques added, “As we close out the season, we’re proud of how our team fought in the face of adversity. These experiences will only make us stronger and more prepared for next season.”

Looking ahead to 2025-2026

While the national semifinal loss stings, the consolation win over Berkeley College provides a bittersweet end to the season—a reminder of the highs and lows of competitive sports. Even though the Sound did not win the national title, they worked hard and had a tremendous showing on the national stage. The team and their coaches can look back on a good well done and a successful season. While competing in USCAA Division I for the first time this past season, the Sound made incredible strides throughout the season and qualified for the USCAA National Tournament for the second year in a row. Danayjha Moore and Raine Mears were named to the USCAA Second Team as All-American, and Layla Ford was selected as a USCAA All-American Honorable Mention. The entire roster, with the exception of senior Sydney Mountain should return for 2025-2026, where the Sound plan to make another run at the NACIA Conference title, as well as the USCAA Division 1 National crown when the season begins in November!