A Tale of Two Halves: Macs Fall at Wesleyan

Marvin Azrak
22 hours ago
2 min read

The Yeshiva Maccabees didn’t back into Silloway Gymnasium on Monday night hoping to hang around. They walked in swinging — and for a half, they had Wesleyan exactly where they wanted them. Yet basketball games aren’t 20 minutes long. After controlling the tempo early and riding a blistering first half from Zevi Samet, the Macs ran headfirst into a second-half surge they couldn’t slow, falling to Wesleyan, 84–69, as the Cardinals flipped the game with pace, precision, and ruthless efficiency after the break.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Yeshiva came out sharp, opening the game on an 11–2 run to force an early Wesleyan timeout just 5:30 into the contest.
Wesleyan responded with an 18–6 run, briefly taking the lead as the pace settled into a physical, efficient first half.
The Macs answered from deep, knocking down five three-pointers in the final five minutes of the half to regain control.
Zevi Samet fueled the surge, scoring 21 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Yeshiva carried a 38–33 lead into halftime, having dictated tempo and spacing for much of the opening 20 minutes.
Wesleyan flipped the script to start the second half, opening on a 9–0 run and taking a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite pushing back to within one point (42–41) and later four (53–49), the Macs couldn’t fully swing momentum.
A 10–0 Cardinal run midway through the half pushed the deficit to double figures with 10 minutes remaining.
Another 10–0 run late turned an 11-point game into a 21-point Wesleyan lead, effectively sealing the outcome.
Wesleyan shot 62.5% in the second half, scored 17 fast-break points, and committed zero turnovers after the break.
The Macs left Connecticut with an 84–69 loss, snapping a three-game win streak.

*Zevi Samet had 23 points but it wasn’t enough as the Macs fell 84-69 to Wesleyan on Monday Night. (Yeshiva Athletics)*

Second-Half Defensive Breakdowns:

Yeshiva controlled the first half, but couldn’t sustain stops after the break. Wesleyan opened the second half on a 9–0 run, then added two separate 10–0 spurts, turning a tight game into a double-digit deficit. Once the Cardinals found rhythm, the Macs struggled to slow their pace.

Transition Was the Difference:

Wesleyan consistently turned stops into points, scoring 17 fast-break points compared to just two for Yeshiva. Missed shots and rushed possessions fed Wesleyan’s transition game, allowing them to build separation without needing extra possessions.

Offensive Disruption After Halftime:

Wesleyan’s box-and-one defense changed the game. After scoring 21 points in the first half, Zevi Samet was held to two points after halftime, forcing the Macs to find offense elsewhere. Yeshiva generated chances but couldn’t match the Cardinals’ efficiency down the stretch.

UP NEXT:

The Macs are back in action Wednesday January 14th against Skyline conference rival Purchase college. Tip-off is set for 8:00PM