PATCHOGUE, NY - Traveling out to Long Island to take on a conference foe, the Yeshiva Women's Basketball Team fell to St. Joseph's University Long Island, losing to the Golden Eagles by a score of 79-56.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees saw two players score in double digits, with reigning Skyline Player of the Year Daniella Bessler tallying 19 points, while her sharpshooting teammate Shai Rahamim tallied 14.
 
On top of her point total, Bessler had a monster showing on the defensive end of the ball, leading the team with season-high marks of 13 rebounds and two blocks. She was joined as a force in the paint by Fortune Hanan, with the 5-11 forward pulling down a career-best 11 rebounds on the night.
 
With the loss, the Macs are now 0-8. 0-5 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• While the score remained tight through the first four minutes of play, with Yeshiva trailing just 7-5 thanks to buckets from Bessler and Rahamim, SJLI quickly found some breathing room. The Golden Eagles outscored YU by a margin of 14-6 throughout the rest of the period, with the Macs closing out the first quarter trailing, 21-11.
   
• Catalyzed by a quick Bessler layup, the Maccabee offense finally started humming come the second quarter, shaking off any rust leftover from their slow start. Over nine minutes, baskets from Rahamim, Jasmin Maly-Danker and Tali Cohen got Yeshiva within two points of SJLI, with the Macs trailing at just 32-30. While a couple of quick Golden Eagle baskets grew that margin back out, the Maccabees went into the break hot on the heels of their foes at 40-33.
   
• Seeing their offensive issues flare up once again, the Macs managed just nine points in the third quarter, evaporating any chance of overtaking SJLI. At the close of the period, the margin between the two squads stood at 66-42.
   
• Finding some consistency inside, Yeshiva dominated the glass throughout the fourth quarter, with 12 of their 14 points coming from inside the paint. Yet, despite ultimately outscoring their opponent on the period, the Maccabees could not dislodge SJLI's hold on the contest, falling, 79-56.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Bessler (19), Rahamim (14), Hanan (9)
• Assists: Bessler (5), Amkraut (5), Cohen (4)
• Rebounds: Bessler (13), Hanan (11), Amkraut (6)
• Steals: Rahamim (5), Cohen (3), Amkraut (2)
• Blocks: Bessler (2), Cohen (1), Maly-Danker (1), Hanan (1)

 
UP NEXT
Returning home and to non-conference play, the Maccabees will host Hunter College on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 PM.