The Berkeley College women's basketball lost a pair of home games last week, falling to the Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo) by a score of 79-62 in an NACIA contest this past Wednesday, before turning around the next day and losing to the Sound of Five Towns College by a score of 77-63. Both games took place at Achievement First Brooklyn H.S. With the setbacks, the Knights are now 7-8 on the 2024-2025 campaign (2-2 NACIA). Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo) improved to 12-2 overall (5-0 NACIA), and the Sound moved to 6-1.
Despite Berkeley's loss to the Bobcats, Magan Jackson put together a standout performance, scoring a game-high 25 points (11-22 FG) to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Ariella Johnson finalized her evening with 15 points and a game-high six steals. She also snatched five rebounds. Finally, it was Maria Negron posting a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Pacing the victorious Bobcats was Madison Carey, as she finished with a team-high 20 points (8-14 FG) and eight rebounds. She was one of four Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo) players to score in double figures on the night. Ashlynn Johnson netted 15 points while collecting seven rebounds and dishing three assists, and Chanice Willis and Kortnee Smith netted 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Trailing 18-12 after 10 minutes of play, the contest got away from Berkeley in the second quarter, as the hosts scored just four points while yielding 14 Bobcat points. The visitors held a commanding 32-16 advantage at the half. The Knights inched closer in the third, netting 25 points to Bryant & Stratton Buffalo's 19, but the Bobcats closed things about in the final period, lighting up the scoreboard for 28 points (the Knights scored 21), as the Bobcats advanced for the 17-point NACIA victory.
Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo) was the far more efficient team shooting the basketball, as the Bobcats connected on 41.3 percent of their attempts from the floor (31-75) compared to Berkeley's 27.9 percent conversion rate (24-86). The visitors held a slim 51-49 edge on the glass, while dishing 11 assists to the Knights' five. Berkeley piled 15 steals on the night compared to four for the Bobcats. Berkeley also won the turnover battle, committing 15 miscues compared to 22 for Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo).
Four players scored in double figures for the Knights, including veteran Khya Hough, as her 20 points led all players. She also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished two assists, as well. Johnson finalized her evening with 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists, and Jackson and Anastasia Davis netted 11 and 10 points, respectively. Jackson also grabbed seven boards, and Davis added six caroms and three steals.
In the victory for the Sound, Ihari Oromo scored a team-high 19 points while snatching a game-high 12 rebounds. Danayjha Moore scored 15 points, piled five dimes, snatched three boards, and collected two steals. Danica Robles added 13 points, a game-high eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals, and finally, Raine Mears netted 12 points while snatching a pair of boards.
Five Towns held a modest 18-13 lead after 10 minutes of action, and increased its advantage to 15 at the break (44-29). The Sound maintained its lead in the second half, with Berkeley College only outscoring the visitors 34-33, as the Sound went on to solidify an impressive 14-point triumph.
Both squads shot an almost identical percentage from the floor, with Berkeley earning a 31.9 percent conversion rate (22-69), and Five Towns hitting on 28 of 88 shots (31.8 percent). The teams were deadlocked at 53 rebounds apiece, and Five Towns held a 12-8 advantage in steals. The Sound piled 20 assists to the Knights' 8, and the visitors also won the turnover battle, committing just 16 miscues to Berkeley's 19.
The Knights will look to get back in the win column on Saturday evening, as Berkeley will host Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse. The game will take place at Achievement First Brooklyn High School, with a start-time of 5:00pm.