(New York, NY) - Senior Tova Laufer (New York, NY/Ramaz) notched her third double-double of the 2008-09 season with 11 points and a season-high 21 rebounds, and junior Lauren Kempin (Fairlawn, NJ/Frisch) scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, and fifth time during her last six games, but the Yeshiva University Women's Basketball team lost its ninth straight game, 45-43 to St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 21 at Baruch College. With the loss, YU is now 1-10 overall and 0-2 in Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference (HVWAC) play.
Playing against a St. Joseph's team that has four HVWAC Championships under its belt, the Maccabees jumped all over the visiting Bears, taking a 12-5 lead early as Laufer scored nine points during the first half of play. However, the Maccabees struggled to shoot throughout the game, and the shooting woes would cost YU dearly as play moved along. St. Joseph's battled back to make it 12-9, but a 9-3 run gave the Maccabees their biggest lead of the game, 21-12 with 2:44 remaining in the first half. However, from there, St. Joseph's exploded to score eight of the final nine points of the first half, and Yeshiva took a 22-20 lead into the break.
An early 11-0 run by St. Joseph's in the second half gave the Bears a 31-26 lead and it appeared as if Yeshiva was on the ropes, but consecutive baskets by Kempin and Avigail Varnai (Skokie, IL/ICJA) made it a 31-30 game with 12:13 remaining. The remainder of the game was a wild affair that featured three ties and five lead changes, and a Libby Lapson (Chicago, IL/ICJA) jumper gave the Maccabees a 39-35 lead with 7:28 remaining.
A Kempin basket with 4:43 left in the game gave Yeshiva a 41-38 lead. However, from there, St. Joseph's rallied for seven consecutive points, giving the Bears a 45-41 edge with 1:40 left in the game. Two Kempin free throws made it 45-43 with 1:00 remaining, and a Laufer rebound with 18 seconds to play gave YU one final shot to tie the score, or win the game in regulation. Off of a time-out, Laufer had the final shot of the game, and it fell just short, allowing St. Joseph's to escape with the win.
The Maccabees enjoyed a 73-55 rebounding edge, converted 14 of their 22 free throw attempts, and committed only 17 turnovers, but YU shot only 17% from the floor as YU converted only 14 of their 82 field goal attempts.
Laufer enjoyed a terrific game, as did Kempin - who had 12 points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots. Also for Yeshiva, Lapson scored eight points, added 10 rebounds, and played perhaps the finest defensive game of her career as continues to be perhaps the most improved player on the team this season.
After Yeshiva's final exams and intersession, the Maccabees return to action on Thursday, Jan. 22 when they travel to Skyline Conference powerhouse Mount Saint Mary for a 6:00 p.m. game.
