This was a contest the Macs couldn’t lose. There would be no excuses for them being the ones who gave these Panthers their maiden win, and they didn't disappoint. Wrapping up their week on the road, the Yeshiva men's basketball team secured a solid 80-70 win against The College at Old Westbury on Sunday.
The offense was firing on all cylinders, with four players hitting double-digit scores. Zevi Samet led the charge with an impressive 29 points, while Dothan Bardichev, Roy Itcovichi, and Effy Freundlich added 15, 13, and 10 points respectively. Bardichev and Itcovichi were beasts on the boards, nearly clinching double-doubles— Bardichev grabbed nine rebounds and Itcovichi snatched seven. Defensively, Gabriel Landau made his presence known, racking up five rebounds and leading the team with two steals. In just his second game, Yoav Oselka hit the court after being sidelined due to injury. In just 11 minutes, Oselka contributed with two points, three rebounds, and a steal.
The Macs picked up their second straight win with an 80-70 victory over Old Westbury on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
How it Happened:
Both teams exchanged baskets for the first six minutes. The lead bounced back and forth five times before settling at 13-all with about 13 and a half minutes left in the first half.
Something clicked for the Macs and they went on a tear, scoring ten unanswered points in just 90 seconds. Suddenly, they found themselves with a comfortable 23-13 lead.
Yeshiva didn't let go of their advantage throughout the first half. Solid offensive performances from Oselka, Samet, Itcovichi, and Bardichev kept them in control. By halftime, they were sitting pretty with a ten-point lead (40-30) capped by a buzzer-beating triple by Samet.
The Macs didn't ease up in the second half. They came out strong on a 16-9 run, extending their advantage to 56-39.
When it seemed like Yeshiva had this on lock, Old Westbury started clawing their way back into the game. They narrowed the gap to four points with about seven minutes left.
With the pressure on, Zevi Samet stepped up big time. He nailed two crucial buckets in a row, pushing Yeshiva's lead back into the double digits at 74-63.
Samet sealed the deal with a pair of clutch free throws with the game on the line. A layup from Freundlich in the closing moments ensured Yeshiva's lead stayed secure, ending the game with a solid 80-70 win over their conference rival.
Seizing Opportunities:
The Macs capitalized on their opportunities under the basket, scoring 18 second-chance points, compared to the Panthers' 15. This ability to convert on offensive rebounds provided crucial momentum swings throughout the game.
Speedy Success:
Yeshiva effectively utilized their speed and transition game, scoring 11 fast break points while shutting out the Panthers in this category. Their ability to push the pace and capitalize on fast break opportunities kept the pressure on Old Westbury and extended their lead. Roy Itcovichi feasted in this department, going coast to coast to draw a shooting foul. His two free throws extended the Macs lead to 69-63 and set the stage for Samet’s magic. Itcovichi found his wingman for a layup and set him up for a three before nailing two more from the charity stripe, putting Yeshiva back up double digits for the rest of the game.
Turning Mistakes into Magic:
Creating turnovers and turning them into points was another critical factor in the Macs' victory. They scored 17 points off turnovers, while the Panthers only scored nine; this showcased their defensive intensity and ability to convert defensive stops into offensive production.
For Yeshiva (12-7, 9-1 Skyline):
Zevi Samet led the way with 29 points on 10-20 shooting and went 6-15 from downtown.
Dothan Bardichev had 15 points and nine rebounds.
Roy Itcovichi scored 13 points and seven rebounds, while Effy Freundlich added ten off the bench.
For Old Westbury (0-19, 0-10 Skyline):
Amadi Lee-Kane poured in a game-high 34 points for the Panthers.
Jamari Williams had a double-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Panthers outscored the Macs in the paint 26-18.
Up Next:
The Macs host (13-5, 7-3 Skyline) on Tuesday(1/30) looking to avenge their lone conference loss of the season. Tip-off is slated for 8:00PM.
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