ONEONTA, NY - Competing in the Michael. A Freilich Tournament, the Yeshiva men's basketball team downed SUNY Oneonta, defeating the Red Dragons by a score of 84-79 on Saturday, Nov. 11.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees saw production across the board, with four different players scoring in double digits. Or Sundjyvsky led the way with 21, while Max Zakheim notched 19 and Zevi Samet and Dothan Bardichev both tallied 12 on the night.
 
Zakheim and Bardichev also had stellar outings for the Macs on the defensive end, with Zakheim swiping three steals and Bardichev swatting down the team's only block.
 
With the win, the Macs are now 1-1 on the season

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Macs fell behind early, seeing the Red Dragons race out to a 6-0 lead, an advantage that would be maintained throughout the half. Yeshiva fought hard to cut into their deficit, relying on the sharp shooting of Samet and rim running of Sundjyvsky to get them within three on multiple occasions. However, Oneonta were able to pull away in the final minutes of the period, securing a sizable lead and sending Yeshiva into the break down 45-37.
   
• Despite their struggles in the first half, the Macs did a 180 to kick off the second, coming out the gate on fire. Ever the reliable scorer, a Samet jumper ignited an 11-2 run, getting the Macs within two at 50-48 just over three minutes into the period. While Oneonta were able to somewhat pull away again, Yeshiva were not about to let an opportunity fall through their fingers, storming back to tie up the game at 61-all with 11:21 left to play.
   
• This dance of a small Oneonta lead being wiped out by a quick Yeshiva run would continue for the next three minutes, until finally, with seven minutes left in regulation, a Zakheim layup gave the Maccabees their first lead of the game at 71-70. Having tasted that advantage, the Macs would not surrender it for the rest of the contest, with a clutch rebound from Sundjyvsky and a set of free throws from Samet in the final seconds icing the game, 84-79.

 

The Boys get the first W the season 👏

📰: https://t.co/bt0ZP9kHZJ#GoMacs #YUReady pic.twitter.com/2nceXKewHV

— Yeshiva Maccabees (@YUathletics) November 12, 2023

MAC LEADERS
Points: Sundjyvsky (21), Zakheim (19), Samet (12), Bardichev (12)
Assists: Sundjyvsky (3), Bardichev (3), Landau (2)
Rebounds: Zakheim (8), Samet (7), Sundjyvsky (6), Oselka (6)
Steals: Zakheim (3), Samet (1), Oselka (1)
Blocks: Bardichev (1)
 
UP NEXT
Wrapping up Oneonta's tournament, the Macs will face off against SUNY Geneseo on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 PM