MIDDLETOWN, CT - Taking on their final non-conference opponent of the season, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team fell to Wesleyan University, losing to the Cardinals by a score of 84-69 on Monday, Dec. 12th.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees were helmed by Zevi Samet, as the Monsey Mamba led the team with 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-9 from beyond the arc.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, big man Yoav Oselka dominated the glass for YU, with the reigning Skyline Player of the Week pulling down a team-high eight rebounds.
 
With the result, the Macs are now 6-8 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Despite Wesleyan dropping the first basket, the Macs jumped out to an early lead, going up 11-2 through the first five minutes of play. However, the Macs could not hold off the Cardinals, seeing their advantage chipped away at until the game sat tied at 16-16 with 8:43 remaining.
   
• While Wesleyan briefly took the lead, a stout Maccabee defensive unit did not allow the home team more than a three-point cushion. Strong shooting from Samet, Yair Dovrat, and Roy Itcovichi quickly had YU back in control, with the Macs up by five at 30-25 with 2:47 left in the period. This margin would hold through the end of the half, with Yeshiva headed into the break up, 38-33.
   
• Despite a stellar first half of play, the Macs could not maintain that same momentum in the second. Wesleyan quickly took the lead at 40-38 just two minutes into the period, swinging the pendulum away from YU for what turned out to be the final time. Yeshiva had their chances, coming within one at 42-41, and within four at 53-49, but could not overtake the high-powered Cardinal offense. The men in blue and white saw their deficit reach double digits at 60-49 with 10:52 remaining, a margin that ultimately capped out at 21 at 78-57. When the final buzzer sounded, the Macs left Connecticut with an 84-69 loss.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Samet (23), Oselka (9), Dovrat (8)
• Assists: Dovrat (6), Zakheim (2), Schanzer (2)
• Rebounds: Oselka (8), Dovrat (5), Samet (4)
• Steals: Samet (2), Itcovichi (1), Jacobs (1)
• Blocks: Bardichev (1)

 
UP NEXT
Returning home, the Macs will host Purchase College on Wednesday, Jan. 14th at 8:00 PM.