NEW YORK, NY – The Macs held a 7 point halftime lead, and a three point edge with less than a minute to play in the game, but the Knights of Mount Saint Mary forced overtime and eventually won 80-76. Two fouls against Yeshiva (2-10, 2-6) in the final minute of regulation proved to be the game changer. The Knights improved to 6-3 (4-1).
Yeshiva led by as many as 9 in the first half, and held a 38-31 advantage at the half behind 52% shooting from the field and 67% from behind the arc.
In the second half, the Maccabees out-rebounded the Knights 23-8, but committed 13 turnovers compared to only 3 by the Knights. With 6 minutes to play, the Macs trailed by 9, but a 15-6 run over the next four minutes pulled the two teams even for the 7th time in the game.
Gil Bash found
Dovie Hoffman for a layup with 46 seconds to play, and the Knights committed a foul to send Hoffman to the line for a chance for a three point play. Dovie connected and the Macs led by 3 with less than a minute to play.
On the ensuing possession, a miss from the Knights was corralled by
Gil Bash, but he was whistled for a dead ball foul as he went for the rebound and the ball was given back to Mount Saint Mary. A quick inbound play led to an open 3 point shot from the corner which was hit to tie the game with 30 seconds left. Holding the ball for the final shot,
Omer Haim drove to the hoop but was whistled for a charge with 1 second showing on the clock, sending both teams into overtime.
Yeshiva never led in the extra period, but they came from behind to tie the score two more times for 10 total ties in the game.
Gil Bash hit Yeshiva's final basket which came with 1:50 to play in the overtime period, and the Knights closed with three straight points for the 80-76 victory.
Yeshiva was paced by Hoffman who had 22 points and 9 rebounds.
Chen Biron followed with 15 points on 4-5 shooting from long range. Bash ended with 12 points off the bench and
Yoni Eckmann had 11.
Yeshiva has one game left in the first half of the season, a road contest with St. Joseph's on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 2PM start.
