Berman Cougars Edge TABC Storm in 7th Place Battle — A Solid Finish to a Shaky Tournament for Both Sides

In a Tier I consolation matchup that saw two teams looking to salvage pride after tough tournament runs, the #2 Berman Cougars held off the #5 TABC Storm 62–57 in a scrappy, high-effort game that reflected both squads’ frustration and resilience.

Coming in as a top seed, Berman had higher hopes for their tournament journey, but they showed grit in their final outing. Alex August led the way with a strong 20-point performance, attacking the basket with confidence and providing a steadying presence when the game tightened late. Noah Lichtman added 15 points, showing off his smooth mid-range shooting, while Reuven Antine chipped in 14, giving Berman a balanced offensive attack.

For TABC, it was another case of flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency. Natali Hochstein paced the Storm with 16 points, hitting several big shots to keep his team within striking distance. Akiva Borgen (15 points) and Yosef Kahn (12 points) both contributed offensively, but the Storm struggled to convert late possessions into points when it mattered most.

The game remained tight deep into the fourth quarter — neither team willing to let the other off easy. But Berman’s composure in the final minutes, fueled by crisp ball movement and clutch free throws, proved decisive.

While the Cougars leave with a 7th place finish, the win offered a bit of redemption to close a tournament that didn’t meet their lofty expectations. For the Storm, the game summed up their weekend — competitive, talented, but unable to quite find the rhythm that made them one of Tier I’s most respected programs.

Both teams will walk away knowing they can play with anyone — but also that the margin for error at this level is razor thin.

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