Senior Night, Statement Made: Samet’s 37 Clinches #1 Seed for YU
- Marvin Azrak
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
We’ve been saying it in these spaces for months now:
“One last ride.”
Not as a slogan. Not as fluff. As a feeling. As a recognition that this core —that has grown together, bled together, carried the program together, and played its final regular season minutes at the Max Stern Athletic Center. Yet Saturday night wasn’t just a tilt but a clincher, a celebration, and a pre-playoff test. And the Macs passed all three.
Yeshiva defeated Sarah Lawrence 81–74 in a heavyweight Skyline battle, honoring seven seniors before tip-off and then fighting for 40 minutes to make sure their night ended the right way, as the Macs clinched the top seed for the second time in program history and first since the 2019-2020 season.
Before the ball ever went up, the spotlight belonged to Zevi Samet, Max Zakheim, Tom Beza, Hillel Baynash, Dothan Bardichev, Ari Shklyar, and Roy Itcovichi. Seven seniors. Seven stories. Years of work condensed into one pregame moment at center court.
However, what made it powerful is that they didn’t let the ceremony be the highlight.
They made their ninth straight win the highlight, making them 15-0 in Skyline play and 16-8 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Sarah Lawrence slowed the tempo in the opening minutes, keeping YU somewhat contained through the first five possessions. It was physical. Deliberate. Playoff-feel energy right away.
Then the Macs detonated. Behind Samet’s shot-making and strong interior touches from Bardichev and Dovrat, YU exploded to a 24–13 lead with 12:40 left in the half. The ball was popping. The defense was forcing tough looks. The lead stretched to 35–20 with 7:50 remaining, then ballooned to 52–32 with just over two minutes to go.
Instead of coasting to the locker room, YU stepped on it. Two layups and a deep three by Samet in the final stretch pushed the halftime margin to a commanding 61–32. Senior Night felt like it might turn into a coronation.
Sarah Lawrence didn’t go quietly. The 11-2 Gryphons amped up their pressure, attacked downhill, and began slicing into the lead. It dropped to 18 within four minutes. Then 12 with seven to play.
With 3:17 remaining, the once-29-point cushion had shrunk to 73–68. Five-point game with the previously raucous MSAC crowd holding its breath.
That’s when YU responded like a #1 seed. Dovrat rose for a clutch jumper to stretch the margin back to seven. Forced to foul late, the Gryphons sent the Macs to the line where Samet bid the Gryphons adieu.
YU Built a First-Half Cushion Big Enough to Survive the Storm:
That 61–32 halftime lead wasn’t just pretty, but necessary. The Macs detonated offensively in the first 20 minutes, shooting with confidence, moving the ball, and attacking gaps before Sarah Lawrence could get set. When the second-half drought hit and the Gryphons made their inevitable run, YU had margin to work with. Senior Night could’ve turned chaotic. Instead, the early dominance gave them breathing room.
Zevi Samet Owned the Moment (Again):
The Monsey Mamba delivered again. Thirty-seven points on Senior Night. In a division-clinching game. Against an 11–2 team. That’s more legacy stuff for the living Macs legend who’s already broken the program’s all-time scoring record and single game record with 52 a couple weeks ago. Nobody will forget the Skyline-winning shot last year.
Saturday, Samet didn’t just score in rhythm; he scored when the building needed steadiness. When the lead shrank to five, he didn’t rush. When fouled late, he didn’t flinch. The best players control emotional games. The captain controlled this one like the greats do. Appreciate him while you still can In blue and white.
Composure Down the Stretch:
Let’s be honest — blowing a 29-point lead could’ve spiraled. It didn’t. When it tightened to 73–68 with just over three minutes left, the Macs executed. Dovrat hit a clutch jumper. Zakheim facilitated and rebounded. Then the free throws came — Oselka, Samet, Zakheim — all automatic. No panic. No hero ball. Just calm, mature execution. That’s why they’re undefeated and the #1 seed. Not because they never bend. Because they don’t break, carry that mentality into the playoffs, and the Macs could be hoisting a second consecutive trophy soon.
A Broadcast That Matched the Moment:
Senior Night deserved a big-stage feel — and the MacsLive broadcast team delivered.
Yosef Silver was outstanding on play-by-play. Fair, composed, and incredibly prepared, Silver brought a professional tone to the night. He wasn’t there to overhype things, but tell the story accurately and thoughtfully. Every stat was ready. Every run had context. Every momentum swing had perspective. You could feel the preparation behind the mic. It’s why he’s been the lead man for this core’s journey, and his voice proven worthy of capturing their greatest and historic moments.
Avery Stepner complemented him seamlessly, offering sharp analysis without overtalking the game. When YU made its first-half push, he explained the adjustments. When Sarah Lawrence clawed back, he broke down why.
And on the sideline Chaim Stark added the emotion by interviewing team fathers throughout the game — and Zevi Samet’s grandfather in a powerful segment. On a night that meant everything to the seniors, the broadcast rose to that same standard. It sounded like March.
Up Next:
One more regular season tilt and it’s on the road against Mount Saint Mary, Wednesday night February 18th. Tip-off at 6:00PM.