Box Score

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University men's basketball team ended the 2016-17 regular season in thrilling fashion by knocking off the defending Skyline Conference champion College at Old Westbury, 79-64, on Saturday evening. Yeshiva now clinches the fifth seed and will travel to Purchase College for the first round of the Skyline Conference championships on Tuesday.

After falling behind, 10-9, Yeshiva (15-9,11-5 Skyline) completely took over the game by scoring 14 unanswered points in a span of 4:06 to take a commanding lead that would never be relinquished. In Yeshiva's big run, sophomore forward Michael Hayon produced a three-point play the old fashioned way, while freshman guard Simcha Halpert, sophomore guard Judah Cohen, and freshman forward Daniel Katz each nailed a shot from beyond the arc. YU went into the half with a commanding 52-32 advantage.

Senior forward Dean Pienica single-handedly sparked the Macs at the start of the second half. The Tel Aviv native scored the period's first seven points from either team, including a traditional three-point play thanks to an "and one."  That would put the game out of reach for Old Westbury (17-8, 13-3 Skyline) as Yeshiva went on to earn an impressive Skyline win in the regular season finale.

For the game, the Maccabees had balanced scoring. Halpert led the way with a team-high 13 points with three rebounds and just as many steals. Cohen had 11 points with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Senior forward Michael Berg just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while dishing out four assists, blocking two shots, and forcing just as many steals.

Hayon scored 10 points with six rebounds and three blocks, while Pienica added nine points and four boards. Katz and sophomore forward Tal Gweta each scored eight points, while senior guard Jordan Hod added seven points, a game-high eight assists, and four rebounds. Freshman forward Kevin Bokor chipped in with three points, while sophomore guard Ariel Sokol brought down two rebounds.

"Just a good team win bolstered by good defense," Yeshiva head coach Elliot Steinmetz said. "I'm proud of our effort tonight."

It was senior night as graduating seniors Pienica, Berg, and Hod were honored with a ceremony prior to the game.

"This win was an amazing way to honor our incredible seniors, Jordan, Mike, and Dean, who exemplify Yeshiva basketball in their play and in their actions," assistant coach and YU basketball alumnus Benjy Ritholtz said. "We're going to take this momentum into the playoffs on Tuesday night."

The Maccabees first round game against the Panthers will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Purchase College Gymnasium. More information will be available soon.