PURCHASE, NY - Taking on their penultimate opponent of the 2024-25 season, the Yeshiva Women's Basketball Team fell to Purchase College, losing to the Panthers by a score of 68-63 on Wednesday, Feb. 19th.
 
The Maccabees were led by Daniella Bessler, with the reigning Skyline Player of the Year putting up a season-high 34 points, alongside nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two assists.
 
Shai Rahamim also scored in double-digits, tallying 13 points on the night.
 
With the result, the Macs are now 4-20, 4-15 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The beginning of the first quarter saw a flurry of scoring, with the squads level at 5-all less than two minutes in. This deadlock would remain through the next four minutes of play, until a Maccabee run powered by buckets from Bessler, Rahamim and Naomi Sigman managed to secure some breathing room for the Macs, sending YU into the break up, 15-9.
   
• Yeshiva's lead persisted throughout the second quarter. While Purchase was able to shrink the Macs' edge down to one point on multiple occasions, YU's offense held firm, rallying to carry a 25-24 advantage into halftime.
   
• The Maccabees' lead exploded early in the second half, with baskets from Bessler, Sigman and Jasmin Maly-Danker growing it out to nine points at 37-28 with 5:46 left in the third quarter. However, Yeshiva's hold on the contest slipped over the next five minutes, with the game being tied up four different times before settling at 45-all to end the period.
   
• Yeshiva held on to their lead through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, only losing it briefly at the 7:56 mark before a Rahamim triple claimed it back. This stretch would not last however, as the Panther attack eventually overtook the Maccabees for good with just under five minutes left in regulation. Yeshiva was able to tie the game at 60-all with 3:13 remaining, but ultimately could not usurp the grip their conference rival had on the contest. Two final jumpers from Bessler proved not enough, as the Maccabees fell, 68-63.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Bessler (34), Rahamim (13), Sigman (9)
• Assists: Bessler (5), Amkraut (3), Rahamim (2)
• Rebounds: Bessler (9), Hanan (4), Amkraut (3), Rahamim (3), Maly-Danker (3), Yolkut (3)
• Steals: Bessler (2), Sigman (2), Maly-Danker (1), Yolkut (1)
• Blocks: Bessler (2), Sigman (1), Maly-Danker (1), Rahamim (1)

 
UP NEXT
Playing in their final game of the season, the Maccabees are set to host St. Joseph's University Brooklyn on Saturday, Feb. 22nd at 8:30 PM.