NEW YORK, NY - Taking the court for the first time in February, the Yeshiva women's basketball team fell to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, losing to the Mariners by a score of 53-80 on Sunday, Feb. 4.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees were carried by two double-digit scorers, as Yuval Nitzan led the way with 22 points, while Shai Rahamim dropped 11 on 3-12 shooting.
 
On the defensive end, recently returned Fortune Hunan had an excellent day for Yeshiva, putting up career high marks of nine rebounds and three blocks on the day.
 
With the loss, the Macs are now 7-13, 5-10 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jumping out in front early, buckets from Jasmin Maly-Danker, Daniella Bessler and Nitzan helped YU edge USMMA through the first four minutes of play, leading 7-6 with 6:29 remaining.
   
• Despite losing this quick advantage, the Macs continued to keep pace with one of the most effective scoring units in the conference, managing to tie the game at 10-all, and closing out the quarter down just six at 21-15.
   
• The Maccabees continued to push in the second quarter, slashing the Mariner lead down to just three with 3:05 remaining. Two last-second foul shots from Nitzan would push this gap even lower, as once the halftime horn blew, Yeshiva trailed just 34-32.
   
• Not allowing their momentum to dissipate, the Macs opened the second half with a bang, as a deep Rahamim three gave YU their first lead in nearly 15 minutes of gametime at 35-34.
   
• Unfortunately, Yeshiva's advantage and momentum would not last. USMMA snatched back the lead one minute later, and did not look back, outsourcing the Macs 30-11 and burying YU in a 64-43 hole by the end of the period.
   
• Despite a valiant offensive effort led by Nitzan, the Macs could not overcome USMMA's chokehold on the game, ultimately falling by a score of 80-53.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Nitzan (22), Rahamim (11), Bessler (7)
• Assists: Nitzan (3), Bessler (3), Rahamim (1), Maly-Danker (1), Yolkut (1)
• Rebounds: Hunan (9), Nitzan (4), Maly-Danker (4)
• Steals: Maly-Danker (2), Bessler (2), Nitzan (1), Koenig (1), Yolkut (1)
• Blocks: Hunan (3), Nitzan (1)

 
UP NEXT
Staying home for the next contest, the Macs will host Sarah Lawrence College on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 8:00 PM.