NEW YORK – The Yeshiva University men's basketball team earned a historic win over New Jersey City University, by a score of 97-92, at the Max Stern Athletic Center on Tuesday evening. The Maccabees advance to 11-1, which is their best start since joining the NCAA in 1956. YU extends its winning streak to 11 games and earns its first victory over NJCU (4-6) since the 1938-39 season.

Five players from Yeshiva scored in double-figures. Leading the way for the Maccabees was senior forward Gabriel Leifer, who produced a game-high 25 points, grabbed 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season, dished out eight assists, and blocked six shots. Senior guard Simcha Halpert also had a big night, netting 22 points to go along with six boards. Freshman guard Ofek Reef tallied 21 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the field in the process, while bringing down five caroms.

The victory did not come easy, as the Maccabees struggled throughout most of the opening half. Senior forward Sam Toney, of New Jersey City University, drained a 3-point basket to put YU in a 30-21 hole, with 6:16 left before the break. Leifer responded by hitting a pair of free throws, and then converting a layup on the next offensive possession, to pull the Blue and White to within five. After NJCU regained a seven-point hold, Halpert countered with a successful shot from downtown to shrink Yeshiva's deficit to 32-28, with 4:33 left to play.

Later in the half, senior guard Bar Alluf and Reef combined for back-to-back baskets from beyond the arc to even the game at 34 points apiece, with 3:06 remaining in the period. With the game tied, 40-40, in the final second of the opening half, Leifer drew a foul and connected on one shot from the charity stripe to give the Maccabees a narrow 41-40 lead at the break.

Yeshiva's momentum carried over into the second half, as senior forward Daniel Katz and Halpert combined for back-to-back layups to propel the Macs to a five-point cushion. NJCU would not go down without a fight, as a layup by junior guard Denzel Banks evened the game, 58-58, with 12:18 remaining in regulation time. Reef answered by converting a jump shot to put Yeshiva in front for good, at 60-58, with 11:57 to go. Later in the stanza, sophomore guard Ryan Turell connected on a jump shot to extend the Macs' lead to 66-60. After the Gothic Knights scored five unanswered points to pull to within one, Reef answered with a timely 3-point field goal to increase Yeshiva's advantage to 69-65 with 8:51 remaining.

A 3-point field goal by Halpert sparked an 8-0 run by the Maccabees, capped off by a traditional 3-point play courtesy of Reef, to give Yeshiva a commanding 77-67 hold with 7:20 left to play.

The Gothic Knights had one more rally in them, during the closing minutes. A successful 3-point shot by Toney capped off a 7-2 run by the visiting team to make it a one possession game at 90-87, with 59 seconds left in regulation. Halpert drew a foul and knocked down two free throws to give Yeshiva more breathing room at 92-87. After the home team forced a stop at the defensive end, Halpert threw an outlet pass to Turell, who converted a fast break layup to increase YU's hold to 94-87, with 28 ticks left on the clock. That put the game out of reach for NJCU and YU went on to earn the historic win, 97-92.

Yeshiva University Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz liked what he saw from his team. "Just an exciting and mature group to coach," Steinmetz said. "They really can manage themselves on the court. They're smart, poised, and talented. Special group and fun to be around."

For the Maccabees, Turell generated 14 points, brought down five rebounds, and distributed three assists. Katz netted 10 points, while Alluf contributed with five points and two assists. Junior forward Caleb Milobsky had three assists and a pair of boards.

Toney led the way for the Gothic Knights with a team-high 23 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and distributing three assists.

Before the game, the two teams came together by standing side-by-side for a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Jersey City shooting that took place last Tuesday. The players and coaches on both teams also stood with each other during the playing of both the American and Israeli national anthems.

Yeshiva will close out 2019 with a non-conference game at Moravian College, on Thursday evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m.