RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University men's basketball team opened the Skyline Conference portion of its schedule with a convincing road victory over the College of Mount Saint Vincent, by a score of 102-73, at the Peter Jay Sharp Center on Saturday evening. The Maccabees extend their winning streak to five, and advance to 5-1 overall (1-0 Skyline), while the Dolphins drop to 0-4 for the year (0-1 Skyline). This is Yeshiva's best start to a season in over a decade.
"Great team win," Yeshiva University Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz said. "Always good to get that first conference win against a tough team on the road."
Five YU players scored in double-figures. Sophomore guard Ryan Turell tied a game-high with 31 points, while grabbing 12 rebounds to earn the double-double. The Los Angeles native distributed eight assists, which is just one shy of his career best. Senior forward Gabriel Leifer produced his own double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while fourth-year guard Simcha Halpert added 17 points, including five successful 3-point baskets.
The Maccabees shot 56.9% from the field, while their defense held the Dolphins to just 39.7% shooting.
After falling behind, 10-7, in the early stages of the game, Yeshiva took over the contest with a 28-5 run to take the lead for good and never looked back. Turell began the surge with a pair of shots from the charity stripe, and then converted a jumper to put YU in front for good, with 15:30 remaining in the opening half. The Dolphins were held to just two field goals in a span of 9:24, during Yeshiva's game-shifting blitz.
The Macs steadily increased their lead for the remainder of the period. Freshman guard Ofek Reef helped the Blue and White finish the half strong by converting a layup and being fouled at the same time. He added the free throw to complete the traditional 3-point play and give the Maccabees their largest lead of the opening stanza, 54-28, with 41 ticks left on the clock. That would be the score at the intermission.
Turell opened the second half with a successful shot from beyond the arc to put YU up by 29, at 57-28. The Dolphins were able to rally and shrink the deficit to 18, but the Maccabees would not allow them to get any closer. In fact, Yeshiva was able to increase its lead to as many as 39, before earning the victory by a score of 102-73.
For Yeshiva, Reef and senior guard Bar Alluf each tallied 11 points, with the latter bringing down three rebounds. Junior forward Caleb Milobsky had a solid game with six points, five rebounds, and two assists. Sophomore guard Max Leibowitz, senior forward Kevin Bokor, and first-year forward Jasper Newman each scored two points and pulled down a rebound, while sophomore forward Ryan Bokor converted a free throw. Senior guard Tyler Hod added five points and forced a steal.
For Mount Saint Vincent, senior guard Raiquis Harris tied a game-high with 31 points.
Yeshiva will return to the friendly confines of the Max Stern Athletic Center on Tuesday, for a Skyline Conference matchup against the College at Old Westbury, beginning at 8:00 p.m.