NEW YORK, NY - Playing their final regular season home game of the 2025-26 season, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team defeated Sarah Lawrence College, beating the Gryphons by a score of 81-74 on Saturday, Feb. 14th.
 
Before the game, Men's Basketball acknowledged their seven graduating seniors for Senior Night, honoring: Zevi Samet, Max Zakheim, Tom Beza, Hillel Baynash, Dothan Bardichev, Ari Shklyar, and Roy Itcovichi.
 
The Maccabees saw four players score in double digits. Samet led the way with 37 points, while Zakheim, Bardichev, and Yair Dovrat put up 13, 12, and 11 respectively.
 
With the win, the Maccabees have not only cemented their place in the Skyline Playoffs, but locked down the #1 seed, securing the top spot in the postseason for just the second time in program history.
 
With the result, the Macs keep their undefeated conference record alive at 15-0, sitting at 16-8 overall.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• While Sarah Lawrence was able to keep the YU offense somewhat reigned in through the first five minutes of play, the Maccabees quickly shattered their shackles, leaping out to a 24-13 lead with 12:40 remaining.
   
• Powered by strong scoring from Samet, Dovrat, and Bardichev, Yeshiva's edge only continued to grow. The Macs hit a 15-point advantage at 35-20 with 7:50 left, growing that lead to 20 at 52-32 with 2:12 left. YU tacked on nine more points in those final two minutes of play thanks to a pair of layups and a deep three, carrying a 61-32 margin into the break.
   
• Despite an explosive first half that had them on track to crack triple digits, Yeshiva struggled in the second, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Sarah Lawrence's relentless attack sheathed large chunks off the Maccabee lead, cutting it down to 18 points four minutes in, 12 points 13 minutes in, and eight points 14 minutes in. At its lowest point, YU's advantage shrank all the way down to just five, seeing the scoreboard read 73-68 with 3:17 remaining.
   
• However, a team well versed in adversity, the Macs bent but did not break. A clutch jumper from Dovrat pushed the margin back out to seven, prompting Sarah Lawrence to foul. Oselka, Samet, and Zakheim all buried their free throws, putting an end to the Gryphon comeback attempt, and locking down an 81-74 win in front of a raucous MSAC crowd.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Samet (37), Zakheim (13), Bardichev (12), Dovrat (11)
• Assists: Zakheim (7), Samet (4), Bardichev (3), Oselka (3)
• Rebounds: Zakheim (9), Bardichev (6), Oselka (6)
• Steals: Zakheim (2), Bardichev (2), Oselka (2), Samet (2)
• Blocks: Samet (1)

 
UP NEXT
Taking on their final regular season opponent, the Maccabees will travel to Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, Feb. 18th at 6:00 PM.