Box Score

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Skyline rival St. Joseph's College of L.I., 69-65, on Tuesday evening at the Danzi Center. The Maccabees fall to 7-7 overall, and 5-4 in Skyline contests, while the Golden Eagles bump their record to 7-11 overall, and 6-7 in conference play.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair, as the game featured a combined 18 lead changes. Yeshiva led by as many as 10 in the first half, but St. Joseph's (L.I.) rallied to pull off the win.
 
Tied at 56, with less than five minutes remaining in the game, senior forward Joseph Ammar nailed a three-point basket to put Yeshiva up by three. From that point on, the Golden Eagles turned moment into their favor by scoring nine unanswered points, in a span of 1:49, to take a 65-59 advantage with just 2:40 left to play in regulation time.

With the Maccabees down by four, senior forward Shelby Rosenberg hit two free throws to shrink the Golden Eagles' lead to 65-63, with just 1:39 remaining. Yeshiva could not get a stop on defense, as St. Joseph's (L.I.) was able to score a field goal in the paint to extend their lead to four. The Golden Eagles were able to hit free throws down the stretch to earn the win.
 
Yeshiva gained control early in the game, as a layup by junior forward Dean Pienica gave the Maccabees a 14-4 lead, with 12:32 remaining in the opening half. After Yeshiva went up 16-6, St. Joseph's (L.I.) scored seven unanswered point to pull within three, with 9:02 left in the first stanza.
 
Later in the half, the Golden Eagles went on a 13-2 run to take a 30-24 lead with 2:14 left until the break. Yeshiva was able to end the period strong, as Rosenberg successfully converted a layup, while being fouled, with just 15 seconds left. He hit the free throw to pull within one, at 33-32, and that would be the score going into the intermission.
 
Both teams kept trading leads in the second half. Rosenberg's free throw gave Yeshiva its largest lead of the final period, 56-52, with 7:06 left. St. Joseph's (L.I.) took control of the game from that point to hand Yeshiva the conference loss.
 
Rosenberg led all scorers with 21 points, while grabbing eight rebounds. Junior forward Michael Berg added 12 points with eight boards and three assists. Senior guard Shaje Weiss produced nine points, brought down just as many rebounds, and forced four steals.
 
Yeshiva will return to the Max Stern Athletic Center on Thursday, for a Skyline game against Maritime, beginning at 8:00 p.m.