NEW YORK, NY - Notching their first win of the year in front of a raucous home crowd, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team took down New York University, defeating the Violets by a score of 88-83 on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd.
 
The Violets received votes in the most recent D3hoops.com national poll, lending the victory extra weight. NYU had previously dominated the matchup, with this being YU's first win since 2016.
 
The Maccabees saw three players score in double digits. Zevi Samet led the way with 29, while Roy Itcovichi and Or Sundjyvsky notched 18 and 14 respectively.
 
On top of his offensive efficiency, Itcovichi dominated the paint for YU, pulling down a team-leading nine rebounds, including the game-sealer.
 
With the result the Macs are now 1-5 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Yeshiva came out of the gate slow, finding themselves down big just five minutes into the first half. Trailing by 16 points at 24-8, the Macs began the arduous process of digging themselves out of a significant hole, an effort only hindered by NYU's explosive attack. Even as the Maccabees found their offensive groove, putting up points behind buckets from Sundjyvsky, Itcovichi, and Yoav Oselka, they could not cut into the Violet margin, still trailing by 13 at 41-28 with 2:42 remaining.
   
• However, with just over two minutes left on the clock, the Macs began to surge. Catalyzed by a deep three from Samet that cut NYU's edge back down into single digits, the Maccabees outscored their cross-town rival by a margin of 14-5, slashing their halftime deficit down to just four at 46-42.
   
• The Macs carried their momentum through the break and into the start of the second half. After both squads traded serve through the first three minutes, Yeshiva finally broke through, tying the game at 54-54 before finally taking their first lead at 56-55 off an Itcovichi layup with 13:15 remaining. This is an advantage that the men in blue and white would never surrender.
   
• The Maccabee lead would balloon over the next five minutes of play, reaching double digits at 71-61 with 8:35 left in regulation. YU's advantage would peak half a minute later at 12, and would persist in the double digits until the scoreboard read 1:56, 85-75.
   
• NYU made one final push over the final two minutes, drawing within three twice at 85-82 and 86-83. However, clutch free throws from Itcovichi and Sundjyvsky iced the game for the Macs, putting the contest out of reach in the final seconds, and securing the 88-83 win.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Samet (29), Itcovichi (18), Sundjyvsky (14)
• Assists: Samet (5), Zakheim (5), Oselka (5)
• Rebounds: Itcovichi (9), Dovrat (7), Sundjyvsky (5)
• Steals: Sundjyvsky (2), Oselka (2), Dovrat (1), Samet (1), Zakheim (1)

 
UP NEXT
Staying home, the Macs will host the University of Saint Joseph on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 8:30 PM.