NEW YORK, NY - Hosting their first home contest of the 2024-25 season, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team took down Springfield College, defeating the Pride by a score of 78-65 on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees saw four players score in double digits, with Dothan Bardichev leading the way with 19, and Max Zakheim, Or Sundjyvsky and Zevi Samet all tallying 15.
 
Bardichev and Sundjyvsky also had stellar outings on the defensive side of the ball. Bardichev proved a force in the paint, pulling down nine rebounds, while Sundjyvsky led the team with four steals on the night.
 
This win marks the sixth season in a row that the Maccabees have won their home opener, a streak dating back to November of 2019.
 
With the result, the Macs are now 2-1 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Maccabees burst out to a dominant early lead thanks to the shooting of Sundjyvsky, Samet, Bardichev and Zakheim, breaking double digits at 11-0 before the Pride even had a chance to connect ball with net. Yeshiva's defense proved stifling of an otherwise aggressive Springfield attack throughout the first half, holding the Pride under 10 points through the first 11 minutes of play
   
• This vice grip held through the majority of the first period, with the Macs leading 33-23 with 1:52 remaining. While a late Springfield push brought YU's edge back into single digits, the Maccabees carried a comfortable 35-29 advantage into the break.
   
• The Macs continued to see their lead shrunk early on in the second half, with the Pride even tying the score on two separate occasions at 37-all and 42-all. However, Yeshiva refused to concede their advantage, seizing back the edge on both occasions thanks to a pair of clutch Baridchev triples.
   
• Having weathered Springfield's onslaught, Yeshiva once again established their hold on the contest, ballooning their advantage back out over the next nine minutes of play, leading by as many as 14 points at 68-54 with 5:15 remaining. While the Pride attempted a late push similar to their effort at the end of the first half, it was not nearly as effective at cutting off the Maccabee momentum, only managing to close within seven at 70-63. Clutch foul shots from Samet and Zakheim snuffed out any hopes Springfield had of a comeback, securing the Macs their first home win of the season, 78-65.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Bardichev (19), Zakheim (15), Sundjyvsky (15), Samet (15)
• Assists: Bardichev (8), Zakheim (4), L. Cronin (3), J. Cronin (3)
• Rebounds: Zakheim (9), Samet (7), L. Cronin (5)
• Steals: Sundjyvsky (4), Zakheim (2), Samet (1), Bardichev (1), J. Cronin (1), Itcovichi (1)
• Blocks: L. Cronin (1)

 
UP NEXT
Continuing their stretch of non-conference home matchups, the Macs are set to welcome Oglethorpe University to the Max Stern Athletic Center on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 PM.