(New York, NY) – Sophomore Simon Brookim (Brentwood, CA/Valley Torah) scored 26 points and added six rebounds, and junior Martin Leibovich (Buenos Aires, Argentina/ORT II) added 25 points, five rebounds, and three assists as the Yeshiva University Men's Basketball team battled with CUNY powerhouse Brooklyn College, ultimately losing 81-70 on Feb. 16 at the Max Stern Athletic Center. With the loss, Yeshiva is now 7-15 overall.

Yeshiva battled for much of the first half, holding the lead on four different occasions and trailing by as few as 18-16 with 8:03 remaining in the half, before Brooklyn College jumped ahead 23-16 three minutes later. The Maccabees did not go down quietly, however, as a Yechiel Boussi (Fairlawn, NJ/Frisch) lay-up with 3:09 remaining in the first half made it a 28-24 game. Yeshiva ultimately trailed 32-27 at halftime.

The second half saw Yeshiva battle back once again as the Maccabees trailed by as many as 18 points, 57-39 with 10:23 remaining in the game, but YU stormed right back, and when Brookim hit a three-pointer with 1:09 to play, Yeshiva trailed 75-70. However, time would run out on YU as Brooklyn College converted six consecutive free throw attempts during the final minute.

Both teams shot well as Yeshiva converted 54% of its field goal attempts, including a 60% effort during the second half, while Brooklyn went 50% from the floor, and Yeshiva owned a 31-28 edge in rebounding. However, YU committed 17 turnovers compared to Brooklyn's seven, and the Bridges went 24 for 32 from the free throw line, while Yeshiva was 4 for 7 from the line.

The Maccabees return to action on Wednesday night when they host Mount Saint Mary for their final home game of the 2008-09 season. Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m.