WASHINGTON, D.C.— The new era of Yeshiva University men's basketball got off to a great start as the Maccabees, under new head coach Elliot Steinmetz, pulled out a gritty 74-73 overtime win over Gallaudet University in the 2014-15 season opener on Sunday afternoon.
 
A Shelby Rosenberg lay-up with twenty-two seconds turned out to be the winning basket. He gave the Maccabees a one point lead and Yeshiva played great defense the final seconds to preserve the win.
 
Yeshiva was led by Benjy Ritholtz with 25 points behind six three point field goals, to go along with eight rebounds and five steals. One of his five steals came in the waning moments after Yeshiva took the lead. Rosenberg added 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the win, while Joseph Ammar came off the bench for 12 points.
 
The game saw 11 lead changes and seven ties. The host Bisons led by as much as 10 twice and held a 56-46 advantage with 5:02 to go in the second half before the Maccabees used a 7-0 run to pull to within three with 3:43 to go.
 
Gallaudet still had a five point lead in the final minute of regulation before a three pointer by Jordan Hod cut the lead to two. The Maccabees eventually tied the score with two seconds left on a free throw by Ritholtz to send the game into overtime.
 
In the extra session, neither team led by more than three, until Rosenberg's game winner.
 
Yeshiva outscored Gallaudet 21-12 on points off turnovers and 17-8 on second chance points.
 
Gallaudet committed 28 turnovers, compared to 13 for the Maccabees.
 
Yeshiva is back in action on Tuesday for a contest at Hunter College at 7 p.m.