Yeshiva's not getting a shiny trophy if they take down Maritime on the road for the Gold divsion title on Saturday. That said, they’ll be in a golden spot heading into the Skyline conference tournament next week. Even with their four-game losing streak, the Macs are still calling the shots, thanks to Manhattanville pulling off a 78-62 win against Sarah Lawrence earlier on Saturday. That win means at least Manhattanville gets a home playoff game, and if Yeshiva stumbles, it’ll be the Valliants who snag the division title.
Simply put, if the Macs win, they snag the second seed and get a shot at redemption against the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins in the quarterfinals. Those Dolphins caught everyone off guard with an 82-74 upset at the Max Stern Athletic Center last Wednesday. Yet if the Macs lose, they slide down to the fourth seed and host Sarah Lawrence.
Last year, the Macs missed out on that crucial extra home playoff game and paid the price, losing to Manhattanville in the conference semifinals. Now, the tables could turn in their favor. It also helps that junior, Or Sundjvsky, is finally back in action after missing 12 games due to injury. Before his setback, he was crushing it, averaging 16.5 points per game. The timing couldn't have been better, as Sundjvsky and Zevi Samet terrorized defenders together.
The Macs look to clinch the Gold Division in their regular season finale against Maritime. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Extend the Maritime Domination:
The Macs haven't tasted defeat at Maritime since December of 2011, and they've maintained a flawless record against them since December of 2017. Tonight isn’t a time for the streak to snap.
Hold The Lead:
We know the saying. “Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times; shame on both of us." This shouldn’t happen a third consecutive time. Late-game collapses must be a thing of the past. It happened against Sarah Lawrence and Mount Saint Vincent. No more heartbreakers in the final minutes. The Macs must grab a lead and hold onto it. Show that they’re playoff-ready.
Build Playoff Habits:
The Macs must use this regular season finale to build those playoff-worthy habits. It's all about laying the groundwork for success when the stakes are at their highest. Whether executing flawless plays, maintaining composure under pressure, or strong team chemistry, every action on the court should contribute to both the short and long-term goals.
How to Watch:
Tip-off is slated for 8:30PM. You can watch the game here.
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