OLD WESTBURY, NY - In a night defined by career highs, the Yeshiva Women's Basketball Team dominated The College at Old Westbury, taking down the Panthers by a score of 84-35 on Thursday, Jan. 16.
 
With her statline of 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal, Daniella Bessler not only led the team on both sides of the ball, but scored her 1,000th point, adding her name to an exclusive list of just four other Maccabees to ever accomplish the feat. The graduate student's point total now sits at a staggering 1,007, with 11 games remaining in her storied career.
 
Not to be left out on a night of highs, Naomi Sigman and Tali Cohen had the best statistical outings of their young YU careers. Cohen put up 16 points and six steals, while Sigman led the team in scoring with 20 points, the marks proving career-bests for both athletes.
 
Simone Amkraut cemented herself a lethal distributor of the ball, recording nine assists. This tally is not only a personal best for the first-year player, but also places her firmly in the program's record books, tying for fourth all-time.
 
With the win, the Maccabees improve to 2-12, 2-7 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Maccabees jumped ahead early, with their 11 points in under two minutes cracking the double-digit barrier before Old Westbury had a chance to get on the board. Yeshiva's lead only grew throughout the quarter, as buckets from Shai Rahamim, Bessler, Sigman and Cohen gave the Macs a very comfortable 15-point cushion at 22-7 come the end of the period.
   
• While Old Westbury finally managed to reach double-digit points five minutes into the second quarter, the Maccabee lead proved already insurmountable, with Yeshiva boasting a 44-17 advantage headed into the half.
   
• The closest quarter of the game, the Maccabees only managed to outscore their opponents by five in the third, putting up 17 points to their 12. However, stellar shooting from Rahamim, Sigman, Cohen and Hannah Rashty kept the YU offensive machine running smoothly, with the scoreboard reading 61-29 as time expired on the period.
   
• Recapturing their first-half form, the Macs dominated the fourth quarter, tallying 17 more points than the Panthers at a split of 23-6. Sigman led the attack nearly single-handedly, scoring 14 of her 20 points over the final ten minutes of play as Yeshiva locked up their second straight conference win at 84-35.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Sigman (20), Rahamim (17), Cohen (16), Maly-Danker (15), Bessler (12)
• Assists: Amkraut (9), Sigman (5), Rahamim (5)
• Rebounds: Hanan (10), Bessler (9), Amkraut (8), Rashty (8)
• Steals: Cohen (6), Sigman (3), Amkraut (2)
• Blocks: Amkraut (1), Hanan (1), Yolkut (1)

 
UP NEXT
Not taking the court again for nearly a week, the Maccabees will host St. Joseph's University Long Island on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 PM.