PATCHOGUE, NY - Putting three numbers up on the scoreboard for the first time this season, the Yeshiva men's basketball team tore into St. Joseph's University Long Island, rolling past the Golden Eagles by a score of 101-88 on Sunday, Dec. 17.
The Maccabees were helmed by a twin-headed monster, with both
Zevi Samet and
Max Zakheim putting up ridiculous numbers on the day. Building on what already looks like an All-American season, Samet led the way with 38 points, three steals, three assists and two rebounds, while Zakheim dominated in his own right, tallying 37 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.
Effy Freundlich also had himself a day out in Patchogue, putting up 12 points including a thunderous dunk, his first double-digit performance of the year.
With the win, the Macs are now 9-5, 7-1 in conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Maccabees raced out to an early lead, relying on the sharpshooting of Samet, Zakheim and Roy Itcovichi to go up 16-4 through the thirst six and a half minutes of play.
- Not taking their foot off the gas, YU's offense continued to press, seeing 30 points on the scoreboard before SJLI could manage even double digits. At its height, the Macs' advantage stretched out 24 at 34-10.
- The Golden Eagles were able to mount somewhat of a comeback over the final five minutes of the half, slowly chipping away at YU's edge until it was down to just 12. However, under the guidance of their two offensive juggernauts in Samet and Zakheim, the Yeshiva offense righted the ship, carrying a comfortable 46-32 lead into the break.
- Both squads came into the second half swinging, trading baskets back and forth through the first six minutes. As each team was firing on all cylinders, the gap between the two remained unchanged, with the score sitting at 63-49 with 13:48 left in regulation.
- It was then that YU's offense went on an absolute tear, dropping 38 in the final 13 minutes of the game, crossing the one hundred-point threshold for the first time since November of 2022. While SJLI were able to keep pace for the most part, managing to draw within eight points with 1:28 remaining, Yeshiva's freight train of an offense simply refused to be caught, as the Macs closed out the barnburner, 101-88.
MAC LEADERS
- Points: Samet (38), Zakheim (37), Freundlich (12)
- Assists: Markovich (6), Bardichev (6), Zakheim (5)
- Rebounds: Itcovichi (9), Zakheim (6), Markovich (5)
- Steals: Zakheim (3), Samet (3), Itcovichi (1), Rodin (1)
- Blocks: Zakheim (1)
UP NEXT
Hosting their final opponent of the year in the middle of finals, the Macs will welcome Hope College to Max Stern Athletic Center on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 8:00 PM.
