New York, NY – Continuing with conference play, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team faced off against the top-seeded Maritime College Privateers. Rising to the challenge, the Macs delivered a strong performance, securing an 84-69 victory on Wednesday, February 5th.

Once again, Macs' star and reigning Co-Skyline Player of the Week Zevi Samet led his team to victory with a stellar performance, dropping a season-high 37 points.  

Two other players scored in double figures, with Yoav Oselka and Max Zakheim tallying 11 and 10 points respectively.

Big-man Luke Cronin had a big night defensively, dominating the paint with 10 rebounds and a crucial block on the night.

With the win, the Macs improve to 12-8, 9-2, in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game began with Yeshiva winning the tip, quickly converting it into an easy layup by Samet for the first points of the night. The Privateers responded with an 8-0 run, seizing early momentum. However, the Macs remained unfazed, as Samet and Zakheim combined for key baskets and a pair of free throws to reclaim the lead at 9-8 with 15:33 remaining in the first half.
   
• The Macs and Privateers continued to trade baskets over the next few minutes, showcased by layups from Cronin, Or Sundjyvsky, Effy Freundlich, and Zakheim, bringing the game to a 23-23 tie with 9:10 left in the half. Both teams then hit a scoring drought for the next two minutes until Samet broke the silence with a dagger triple. Riding that momentum, the Macs closed out the half strong, extending their lead with a series of well-executed offensive plays to head into the break up, 44-37.
   
• Much like the opening play, Cronin opened the second half with a layup. Moments later, an explosive dunk by Oselka ignited the crowd and extended the Macs' lead to 11 points with under 18 minutes remaining. Oselka and fellow forward Sundjyvsky added to the Macs' tally, extending their lead to 57-43 with 14:24 remaining in the game.
   
• The Macs never looked back, consistently finding the hoop and maintaining a comfortable double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. Yeshiva closed out the victory with Hillel Baynash, Yoel Kintzer, Tom Valdman, Asher Falk, and Benjamin Lasry on the court, securing an 84-69 win at home.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Samet (37), Oselka (11), Zakheim (10),
• Assists: Cronin (6), Samet (4), Zakheim (3), Freundlich (3)
• Rebounds: Cronin (10), Sundjyvsky (5), Samet (4), Freundlich (4)
• Steals: Oselka (3), Zakheim (2), Itcovichi (2)
• Blocks: Cronin (1)

UP NEXT
The Maccabees will stay at home as they take on another critical conference opponent in Purchase College, hosting the Panthers on Saturday, February 8^th at 8:30 PM.