A Night for the History Books: Samet Breaks All-Time Scoring Record as Steinmetz Earns 200th Win in Macs’ Win Over St. Joseph’s Brooklyn
- Noah Motechin
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Saturday night at the Max Stern Athletic Center delivered one of the most memorable moments in program history. Behind a 23-point performance from Zevi Samet, the Macs rolled past St. Joseph’s Brooklyn 95–75, but the final score was almost secondary to what the night represented.
Samet became the all-time leading scorer in Yeshiva men’s basketball history, passing Ryan Turell, while Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz secured the 200th win of his career. It was a night that celebrated excellence, longevity, and a program continuing to move forward, and it unfolded in dominant fashion.
How It Happened:
First Half:
From the opening tip, Yeshiva’s size advantage was evident. The Macs won the tip, scored immediately, and followed it with a three on the next possession, setting the tone early and making it clear where the night was headed.
YU opened the game playing clean, composed basketball — swinging the ball, feeding the post, and repeatedly finding their bigs for easy finishes towering over the Brooklyn defenders. The Bears struggled to match up physically, and the Macs capitalized by controlling the glass and finishing efficiently inside.
That interior dominance opened the floor. Ball movement led to open looks, kick-outs turned into threes, and cuts resulted in uncontested layups. Even when St. Joseph’s briefly found offense, YU answered right back, maintaining control throughout the half.
While the scoring came from multiple spots, Yair Dovrat quietly impacted every phase of the game. He filled the box score with 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, consistently making the right plays.
The Macs carried a comfortable 48–30 lead into the locker room, firmly in command.
Second Half:
Yeshiva picked up right where it left off, continuing to lean on its size, rebounding advantage, and disciplined offense. The lead grew steadily as stops turned into transition chances and the ball continued to move freely.
Then came the moment.
With 5:30 remaining, Samet did what he has done time and time again for his biggest spots — pulling up from behind the arc and drilling a deep three. The shot pushed him past the program’s all-time scoring mark, and the building erupted as the announcement made it official: Zevi Samet was now the all-time leading scorer in Yeshiva men’s basketball history.
From there, the game turned celebratory. The Macs continued to execute, rotated in younger players, and closed out the night with confidence, sealing a 95–75 win on a night that will be remembered for far more than the final score.
History at the Top:
Samet’s record-breaking three secured a record that had been in near sight for the last few weeks. His 23-point performance etched his name atop the Yeshiva record books, a fitting milestone for the Shtark-shooter. As his coach put it, Zevi is “the greatest scorer this program has seen.”
200 Wins for Coach Steinmetz:
Saturday also marked win number 200 for Coach Elliot Steinmetz, making him just the third coach in program history to reach that milestone. The achievement reflected years of consistency, development, and sustained success.
Size and Control:
While the night belonged to history, the basketball itself was decisive. YU’s size advantage dictated the game from the opening tip, leading to early scores, control of the glass, and a steady offensive flow that St. Joseph’s never fully disrupted.
Yeshiva Leaders:
Zevi Samet: 23 pts
Yoav Oselka: 18 pts, 8 reb
Roy Itcovichi: 13 pts
Max Zakheim: 11 pts
Yair Dovrat: 7 ast, 5 reb, 3 stl
Up Next
The Macs head back on the road as Skyline play continues, traveling to face Old Westbury on Tuesday night at 7pm.