Yeshiva Rallies Past Sarah Lawrence College for Skyline Victory

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University women's basketball team earned a Skyline Conference home win over Sarah Lawrence College, 76-63, at the Campbell Sports Center on Thursday evening. The Maccabees advance to 2-6 overall (1-5 Skyline), while the Gryphons drop to 0-9 for the season (0-4 Skyline).

Yeshiva trailed 35-33 at the half, but outscored Sarah Lawrence by a 31-12 margin in the third quarter to propel the Blue and White to victory.

"Nice to see all the hard work the team has put in pay off in a victory," Yeshiva University Head Coach Michael Alon said.

Leading the way for the Maccabees was freshman guard Yuval Nitzan, who scored a game-high 25 points, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out just as many assists. Senior forward Tehilla Teigman produced a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while distributing four assists and forcing three steals.

Yeshiva got off to a sluggish start, trailing by as many as seven in the opening half. After YU fell behind, 21-14 in the second quarter, Teigman converted a layup that sparked a 7-0 run to pull the Macs to within two. Nitzan's 3-point field goal capped off the run to narrow SLC's lead to 21-19, with 8:01 left to play in the opening half.

Later in the quarter, sophomore guard Jessie Orgel drained a shot from downtown to cut the Gryphons' lead to 25-24. On Yeshiva's next offensive possession, Nitzan capitalized on a jumper to put the Macs up by one. Sarah Lawrence outscored Yeshiva, 8-6, in the final 2:39 of the half to take a 35-33 advantage at the intermission.

The Maccabees came out firing in the third quarter, scoring 17 unanswered points to take a commanding 50-35 advantage. Teigman began the rally with a layup and Nitzan concluded the run with a field goal from the paint. YU's defense held SLC scoreless for the first 5:05 of the period. The Maccabees took a commanding 64-47 hold into the fourth quarter.

Teigman opened the scoring in the final period by converting a layup, while being fouled. She hit the free throw to complete the traditional three-point play to put the Maccabees up, 67-47. Teigman successfully executed another "and one" play just over a minute later. Sarah Lawrence managed to pull to within 11, but Yeshiva recovered and pulled away for the 76-63 Skyline victory.

For the Maccabees, senior forward Lindsay Brandwein had 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Classmate Adina Rosenberg produced four points with five rebounds, while collecting three steals of her own. Orgel netted 12 points with three boards, while sophomore forward Mahlia Leventhal brought down a career-best 11 caroms. Senior guard Chana Boltax added five points with three rebounds.

Yeshiva will battle St. Joseph's College Long Island, in a Skyline Conference contest at the Danzi Center, on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.