Macs fend off Gryphons in Skyline semifinal rematch, remain undefeated in Conference Play

They remembered this gym.

They remembered last year’s semifinal. They remembered how thin the margin was — how nothing ever comes easy against Sarah Lawrence. And on Wednesday night, the Macs walked back into that building and finished the job. In a gritty, seesaw tilt that felt every bit like a postseason rematch, Yeshiva held off the Gryphons 72–64 to stay perfect in Skyline play, improving to 4–0.

How it Happened: 

- Sarah Lawrence struck first. The Gryphons came out with energy at home, using early transition buckets and second-chance points to jump ahead and force Yeshiva into an early deficit.

- YU absorbed the punch. Rather than rush, the Macs settled in, with Roy Itcovichi and Zevi Samet scoring to halt the Gryphons’ momentum and slowly chip away at the lead.

- Samet’s jumper with just over nine minutes left in the half gave Yeshiva its first advantage (22-21), but the lead changed hands several times as both teams traded answers. Sarah Lawrence reclaimed control late in the half, stretching the margin to eight before YU closed strong, trimming the deficit to 38-33 at halftime.

- After a quick Gryphons basket to open the second half, Yeshiva flipped the game with a decisive 10–0 run, fueled by defensive stops and patient offense.

- The Gryphons refused to fade, tying the game at 51 and later reclaiming a brief lead, but a composed YU response met each push.

The game was tied multiple times in the final 10 minutes, with neither side able to separate as the margin hovered within a possession.

- Sparked by a Samet free throw, Yeshiva ripped off a 9-1 stretch to seize control, building a seven-point cushion with under a minute remaining. A late Sarah Lawrence three cut the lead to four, but Samet calmly knocked down four free throws to seal the road win, 72–64.

The Macs won the second half:

After trailing at the break, Yeshiva flipped the game with a decisive opening stretch, ripping off a 10–0 run that immediately seized momentum and set the tone for the final 20 minutes, forcing longer possessions and contested looks after halftime. The Macs took away early-clock scoring and turned the game into a half-court battle — a setting they were far more comfortable controlling.

Interior production and rebounding:

Yoav Oselka’s 21 points and 10 rebounds anchored YU inside, limiting Sarah Lawrence’s second-chance opportunities while generating extra possessions for the Macs. Winning the glass prevented the Gryphons from sustaining runs and allowed YU to survive cold stretches.

They stayed composed in a game that refused to settle.

Every Sarah Lawrence push was met with a response. In a contest that was tied repeatedly down the stretch, the Macs trusted their execution over emotion and never let the moment get the better of them. They closed when it mattered most. Late, Yeshiva delivered the defining run — a 9-1 surge capped by calm free throws by Zevi Samet— turning a one-possession battle into an eight -point road win.

UP NEXT:

The Macs look to keep the winning vibes rolling on Saturday night against Mount Saint Mary at the MSAC. Tip-off is at 8:30PM.