NEW YORK, NY - Simultaneously opening their 2025 slate and closing their non-conference one, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team fell to #10 Tufts University, losing to the Jumbos by a score of 82-74 on Thursday, Jan. 2.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees saw three players score in double digits. Zevi Samet led the way with 31 points, shooting 56% from the floor including 7-12 from three. Also proving effective with the rock, Max Zakheim tallied 15 points while Roy Itcovichi recorded 14.
 
On the defensive end, eight different players recorded either a block or a steal on the night, with the team recording a total of 10 steals and five blocks. Big man Yoav Oselka led the way for YU, notching eight rebounds, two steals and a block.
 
With the result Maccabees are now 4-6 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Maccabees kept pace with an explosive Tufts offense through the first five minutes of play, as buckets from Samet, Zakheim and Oselka kept the margin between the two squads manageable at 16-12. However, the next five minutes told a different story, with a 13-4 run rocketing the Jumbo lead out into double digits.
   
• Yeshiva's deficit would only grow throughout the rest of the period, with the Macs going into the half down, 52-36.
   
• The Maccabees exploded out of the gates come the start of the second half, outscoring Tufts by a margin of 14-2 over the first seven minutes. YU's run drew the men in white and blue within four points at 54-50, forcing a Jumbo timeout.
   
• The stoppage of play would end YU's run, with the Maccabees unable to maintain that same momentum once the game resumed. Tufts quickly re-established control over the contest, extending their lead back out into double digits.
   
• Deep threes from Samet and Zahkeim would slash YU's deficit back into the single digits on three separate occasions throughout the remaining ten minutes of regulation, but Yeshiva would never get closer than within seven points of their nationally ranked foe, ultimately falling by a score of 82-74.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Samet (31), Zakheim (15), Itcovichi (14)
• Assists: Cronin (5), Samet (4), Oselka (4)
• Rebounds: Oselka (8), Samet (3), Zakheim (3), Itcovichi (3)
• Steals: Oselka (2), Zakheim (2), Beza (2)
• Blocks: Freundlich (2), Oselka (1), Levy (1), Cronin (1)

 
UP NEXT
Returning to conference play, the Maccabees are set to host the University of Mount Saint Vincent on Sunday, Jan. 5th.