NEW YORK, NY - Taking on a non-conference crosstown rival, the Yeshiva women's basketball team fell to Hunter College, losing to the Hawks by a score of 74-60 on Thursday, Dec. 7.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees saw double digit performances out of four of their starters, with the combined efforts of Yuval Nitzan (18), Daniella Bessler (15), Jasmin Maly-Danker (13) and Shai Rahamim (12) proving the motor behind the YU attack. With nine rebounds on top of her impressive point total, Nitzan came within just one board of a double-double.
 
Proving their mettle on the defensive end on top of their offensive output, Bessler and Rahamim also had excellent outings guarding the rim, with Bessler putting up three steals and two blocks while Rahamim snagged three steals of her own.
 
With the result, the Macs are now 3-7 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both squads traded baskets back and forth throughout the first quarter, with the lead changing hands four different times throughout the first ten minutes. Thanks to a deep three from Rahamim as well as a last second jumper from Maly-Danker, the Macs were able to come out on top in the exchange, headed into the break up, 14-10.
   
• While a Hunter surge to open up the second period erased YU's advantage, the Macs fought back, relying on a pair of Maly-Danker foul shots to draw even with their opponent, leveling the contest at 17-all with the first free throw, and then retaking the lead at 18-17 with the second.
   
• Unfortunately for Yeshiva, that margin would not last. A 19-3 Hunter run to end the quarter buried YU in a sizable hole, with the Macs trailing 36-22 once the halftime horn sounded.
   
• Unable to solve their offensive woes during the break, the Macs could only watch as Hunter grew their lead throughout the third quarter. YU trailed by as many as 25 points, ending the period behind, 60-39.
   
• While buckets from Nitzan, Bessler, Rahamim and Hannah Rashty breathed some life back into a struggling YU attack in the fourth quarter, even managing to outscore the Hawks by a margin of 21-14, Hunter's lead proved insurmountable, as Yeshiva ultimately fell, 74-60.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Nitzan (18), Bessler (15), Maly-Danker (13), Rahamim (12)
• Assists: Bessler (6), Rahamim (5), Nitzan (4)
• Rebounds: Nitzan (9), Maly-Danker (7), Bessler (6)
• Steals: Bessler (3), Rahamim (3), Yolkut (2)
• Blocks: Bessler (2), Maly-Danker (1)

 
UP NEXT
Closing out the week on the road, the Macs will travel to Purchase College on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 12:00 PM.