NEWBURGH, NY - Closing out the regular season in style, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball Team took down Mount Saint Mary College, beating the Knights by a score of 73-60 on Wednesday, Feb. 18th.
 
With the win, the Maccabees secure a perfect 16-0 record in conference play, winning the regular season title and locking down the #1 seed in the upcoming Skyline Playoffs.
 
Offensively, the Macs saw four players score in double digits. Yoav Oselka led the way with 19 points, while Zevi Samet, Max Zakheim, and Dothan Baridchev tallied 16, 13, and 10 respectively. Lending the night extra significance, with his trio of three-pointers, Samet tied the all-time program record for threes, drawing even with the great Simcha Halpert at 374.
 
On top of his scoring prowess, Zakheim also excelled on the defensive side of the ball, adding new personal bests of two blocks and seven steals to his already impressive statline.
 
Rookie phenom Yair Dovrat had a stellar night for YU, coming just one rebound and one assist short of a double-double with nine of each on the night.
 
With the result, the Macs close out the regular season with a 17-8 record, 16-0 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Despite jumping out to a quick lead, up by as many as six points at 13-7, Yeshiva could not hold off Mount Saint Mary indefinitely, seeing the score tied at 13-all with 10:09 remaining. Pressing their hot streak, The Knights proceeded to seize the advantage for themselves, pushing their edge up to seven points at 20-13.
   
• The Maccabees fought back, leaning on triples from Bardichev, Samet, and Zakheim, but could not erase the margin between the two squads completely. YU went into the break trailing by three at 27-24.
   
• Regardless of their deficit, the Maccabees were intent on securing their undefeated conference record, and would not be denied. Yeshiva reestablished control within the first minute of the second half, tying the game at 27-27 before going up on Oselka three-point play, 30-27, a lead they would never again surrender.
   
• YU's advantage would only grow through the rest of the period, quickly hitting double digits at 39-29 with 13:42 remaining, before reaching a zenith of 16 points at 71-55 with just over a minute left. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Maccabees saw perfection realized, leaving Newburgh with a 73-60 win, and a 16-0 Skyline record.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Points: Oselka (19), Samet (16), Zakheim (13), Bardichev (10)
• Assists: Dovrat (9), Oselka (4), Zakheim (2), Bardichev (2)
• Rebounds: Dovrat (9), Oselka (8), Zakheim (8)
• Steals: Zakheim (7), Oselka (2), Dovrat (1), Samet (1), Baynash (1)
• Blocks: Zakheim (2), Bardichev (2), Dovrat (1), Schanzer (1)

 
UP NEXT
As the #1 seed in the Skyline playoffs, the Maccabees will host their quarterfinal matchup, welcoming the No. 8 seed to the MSAC on Tuesday, Feb. 24th at 8:00 PM.