NEW YORK, NY - Taking on their penultimate opponent of the regular season, the Yeshiva University Men's Basketball team faced off against the Manhattanville University Valiants, securing a hard-fought 83-76 victory over their conference rival on Wednesday, February 19th.

The Macs delivered a strong offensive performance, with three players scoring in double digits. Max Zakheim led the team with 25 points, followed by Or Sundjyvsky with 18, and Zevi Samet contributing 16.

Defensively, Sundjyvsky and Roy Itcovichi made a strong impact on the glass, grabbing nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Additionally, both players contributed defensively with steals, as Sundjyvsky recorded two and Itcovichi added one.

The night proved historic for Zakheim, as his 25 points officially carried him over the 1,000-career-point threshold, just the 33rd player in Yeshiva history to accomplish such a feat. The New Jersey native is in his third year with the Maccabees, joining the club after 59 games wearing white and blue.

With the win, the Macs improve to 15-9, 12-3, in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half began with both teams looking to establish early momentum. Manhattanville struck first with a layup, but Yeshiva quickly responded as Samet found the basket in the paint, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle. Yoav Oselka played a crucial role on both ends, assisting Samet for a fastbreak layup and later capitalizing on a Manhattanville turnover to put Yeshiva ahead, 6-4. Zakheim joined the action with a pair of free throws at the 16:34 mark, pushing Yeshiva's lead to 10-6.
   
• Despite Manhattanville tying the game at 16-16 with 10:10 left in the half, Yeshiva's offense responded with key plays from Sundjyvsky and Jonathan Levy, regaining a four-point lead with 4:21 remaining. The Macs continued to build momentum, as a three-pointer from Samet followed by a layup from Sundjyvsky extended their lead to a game-high nine points at 36-27. Heading into the break, Yeshiva held a seven-point advantage up 36-29.
   
• Yeshiva came out strong in the second half, maintaining their lead over the Valiants with key plays from Itcovichi and Zakheim. Manhattanville, however, refused to back down, determined to keep the game within reach. Yeshiva pushed ahead with a three-pointer from Samet, extending their lead to 43-35 with 16:37 remaining. Zakheim followed up with another three-pointer at 15:18, which not only increased their lead but also marked his entry into the 1,000-point club, giving the Macs a 9-point advantage.
   
• As the half wore on, Manhattanville mounted a comeback, closing the gap to just five points. Yet Yeshiva responded with strong inside scoring from Sundjyvsky. The final minutes saw the game reach a thrilling tie at 73-all, but Yeshiva regained the lead with crucial baskets from Zakheim and Sundjyvsky. Despite Manhattanville's relentless effort, Yeshiva held on, relying on their efficient free throw shooting down the stretch to secure an 83-76 victory.
   

MAC LEADERS

• Points: Zakheim (25), Sundjyvsky (18), Samet (16)
• Assists: Zakheim (4), Samet (3), Cronin (3), Oselka (3), Sundjyvsky (3)
• Rebounds: Sundjyvsky (9), Itcovichi (8), Oselka (6)
• Steals: Sundjyvsky (2), Itcovichi (1), Oselka (1), Samet (1)
• Blocks: Cronin (1), Freundlich (1), Levy (1)
   

UP NEXT
The Macs will play their final regular-season game against Mount Saint Mary College, hosting the Knights on February 22nd at 8:30 PM. The night will feature a special celebration for the team's seniors and an Alumni Night event.