BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 6 Yeshiva University men's basketball team defeated Sarah Lawrence College, 96-45, at Campbell Sports Center on Thursday evening. With the win, Yeshiva (18-1, 11-0 Skyline) clinches a spot in the upcoming Skyline Conference Championships. This marks the seventh time in a row that YU has earned a bid into the conference tournament.
"Just happy with the progress and to see our guys continuing to build toward 40-minute games," Yeshiva University Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz said. YU has made the Skyline Championships every year with Steinmetz at the helm. Note: The Skyline did not have a postseason in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
The Maccabees led the game from wire-to-wire. After leading by 15 at the half, the Macs' dominance continued in the second half by going on an 18-3 run, capped off by a successful jump shot from graduate student Gabriel Leifer, to inflate its hold to 66-33 with 13:52 to go. The Blue and White were able to increase its advantage throughout the remainder of the game and went on to secure its spot in the Skyline Championships.
For the Maccabees, senior Ryan Turell led all players with 24 points, going 9-for-13 from the field. Classmate Eitan Halpert had a hot shooting night, going 6-for-12 from deep on his way to 21 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. Junior Ofek Reef netted 12 points, distributed four assists, forced just as many steals, and snatched three rebounds. Second-year YU player Matan Zucker had a solid game with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Leifer tallied six points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and just as many steals. Classmate Ethan Lasko added nine points, while fellow graduate student Jordan Armstrong added six points and two blocks.
Yeshiva will continue its quest for home-court advantage throughout the Skyline Championships, on Saturday evening, with a Skyline showdown against Farmingdale State College at Max Stern Athletic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.