KINGS POINT, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University men's basketball team earned its eighth straight win by defeating Skyline rival Merchant Marine, 78-67, at Liebertz Gym on Sunday afternoon. With the win, Yeshiva clinches a spot in the upcoming Skyline Conference championships for the fourth year in a row.

"Obviously our goals every year include the postseason," Yeshiva University head coach Elliot Steinmetz said. "While we had a tough start with injuries, it's nice to get healthy and be back to where we belong. Hopefully we can make a nice run."

Four Yeshiva (14-9, 12-6 Skyline) starters reached double-figures in scoring. Leading the balanced scoring attack was sophomore forward Gabriel Leifer, who produced a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs. He also led all players with five assists, while forcing three steals, and blocking two shots.

The game was even throughout the first half. Yeshiva led by as many as six during the first 20 minutes, while the Mariners (9-12, 7-10 Skyline) led by as many as four. Just over five minutes in, sophomore guard Simcha Halpert drilled a 3-point field goal to give Yeshiva a 15-9 advantage. Later in the half, USMMA scored six unanswered points to tie the game, 17-17. Sophomore forward Bar Alluf halted the opposition's momentum by draining two shots from the charity stripe, to give Yeshiva the lead by a score of 19-17, with 11:17 remaining in the first stanza.

With over a minute to go until intermission, Alluf converted a successful jump shot to break a 27-27 tie and give Yeshiva the lead. Seth Barnes hit a free throw for the Mariners with 17 seconds remaining to pull the home team to within one. Both teams went into the locker rooms with Yeshiva up, 29-28.

USMMA started the second half off strong, as a layup by David Washington gave the Mariners a one-point advantage. Halpert immediately answered with a 3-point field goal to put the Macs out in front, 32-30. Sophomore forward Daniel Katz continued Yeshiva's momentum with a 3-point field goal of his own, to extend YU's lead to 35-30. After the Mariners narrowed the Macs' lead, Katz drained a 3-point shot, while being fouled. He nailed the free throw to complete the four-point play, and increase the Maccabees' lead to 41-34, with 17:05 remaining in regulation time.

Later in the second half, Leifer grabbed an offensive rebound and converted on the put-back to put Yeshiva up by double-digits, 51-41, with 12:48 to go in the second half. The Mariners rallied to pull to within five, at 59-54, with 8:49 left to play. Yeshiva answered with six straight points, capped off by a layup from Halpert, to give YU its largest lead of the game, 65-54, with 6:43 remaining in regulation time. Yeshiva did not allow USMMA to generate another run for the remainder of the game, and went on to earn the key Skyline win, 78-67.

For the game, Alluf added 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Halpert scored 18 points, brought down two caroms, and dished out two assists. Katz produced 16 points with three assists and two rebounds. Each of those three players went 6-for-9 from the field.

Junior forward Tal Gweta scored four points, forced four steals, and dished out three assists. Senior forward Eli Mamann grabbed three rebounds, while sophomore forward Kevin Bokor brought down two caroms and distributed an assist. Junior forward Justin Hod added a rebound of his own.

Yeshiva will be back in action on Tuesday, for a Skyline showdown with first place Farmingdale State. Tip-off at Nold Hall Athletic Complex is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.