NEW YORK, NY - Capturing their first win of the new year, the Yeshiva women's basketball team took down Berkeley College, defeating the Knights by a score of 57-56 on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
 
On the offensive end, the Maccabees were carried by three double-digit performances, with Yuval Nitzan (16), Daniella Bessler (14) and Shai Rahamim (13) putting up over 40 points between them.
 
On top of her impressive point total, Bessler also proved a force on the glass, wracking up 14 rebounds and earning a double-double on the night.
 
With the win, the Macs are now 7-12 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams traded baskets back and forth over the first five and a half minutes of play, seeing the lead change hands four times before settling at 7-all. It was then, thanks to points from Bessler, Nitzan and Jasmin Maly-Danker, that YU was able to gain some separation, closing out the quarter up 17-10.
   
• Yeshiva continued to grow their advantage to begin the second period, going up by as many as 11 points off layups from Bessler, Rahamim and Sarah Yolkut. However, YU's dominance would begin to wane come the final five minutes of the half, as a 9-2 Berkeley run slashed into the Maccabee edge. By the time 20 minutes of gametime had elapsed, Yeshiva led by just four at 30-26.
   
• Looking to shake off their offensive stagnation, the Macs came out of the break firing on all cylinders. Thanks to the rim running of Bessler and Nitzan as well as the sharpshooting of Rahamim, YU forced their lead back into the double digits, ballooning it out to 15 at 45-30 with 3:26 remaining.
   
• While YU carried a comfortable 10-point lead into the final quarter, that margin began to fall away, chipping down to seven, then five, and then all the way to one. With 3:09 left, the Macs lost their advantage, falling behind 52-51 and trailing for the first time in over 30 minutes of play. Not about to give up, Yeshiva fought back, as both squads played tug-of-war with the lead, exchanging it back-and-forth three times over the final two minutes.
   
• It was a Nitzan bucket that finally sealed the win for the Macs, as the graduate student drained a jumper with 57 seconds left, putting Yeshiva up decisively at 57-56. As a buzzer-beating heave from Berkeley fell short, YU locked up their 57-56 victory.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Nitzan (16), Bessler (14), Rahamim (13)
• Assists: Nitzan (7), Bessler (4), Yolkut (1)
• Rebounds: Bessler (14), Nitzan (6), Maly-Danker (6)
• Steals: Bessler (2), Yolkut (2), Maly-Danker (1), Rahamim (1)
• Blocks: Yolkut (1), Nitzan (1)

UP NEXT
Returning to conference play, the Macs will travel to Manhattanville College on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6:00 PM.