The Macs keep finding ways to win. In a back-and-forth battle against Purchase College, Yeshiva stormed back in the second half to seal a 90-82 victory at the Max Stern Athletic Center on Sunday. The win clinched a sweep of the season series and added another crucial Skyline win to their resume. Yeshiva improved to 13-8 overall and 10-2 in Skyline play, keeping their sights locked on a top spot in the conference.
The afternoon belonged to Or Sundjyvsky, as the junior forward put on a clinic, dropping a career-high 32 points and 15 rebounds, dominating inside and out. He was nearly unstoppable in his best game in blue and white, shooting 10-12 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from deep.
Right alongside him was Zevi Samet, who continued his scoring tear with 23 points, while Max Zakheim chipped in with 12. On the defensive end, Effy Freundlich was a force in the paint, racking up three blocks and a steal to help keep Purchase in check.
How It Happened:
- This one was a grind. The first half was a dogfight, with 13 lead changes in the first 17 minutes. Every time YU made a move, Purchase had an answer. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Macs trailed 47-43, needing a spark to turn things around.
-Purchase held onto their lead for most of the half—until Yeshiva’s defensive pressure changed everything. The Macs cranked up their inbounds pressure, forcing multiple turnovers, including a chaotic sequence where Roy blocked two straight inbounds passes with his legs, leading to a frustrated Purchase throwing the third one away. That moment set the tone for YU’s defensive dominance in crunch time.
Then came the Steinmetz Special. As they've notoriously done, the Macs switched from man-to-man to a zone defense in the second half, frustrating Purchase’s offense and cutting off their rhythm. YU clawed back, tying the game at 70 off a Sundjyvsky three before Samet hit a go-ahead jumper to put them up 72-70— their first lead in 17 minutes, which they would never surrender.
- The Macs closed on an 18-12 run, tightening up defensively and knocking down clutch free throws—four straight from Sundjyvsky and Zakheim to ice the festivities and send the Panthers packing.
Or Sundjyvsky poured in a career-high 32 points as the Macs used a second half blitz to defeat Purchase 90-82, sweeping the season series on Sunday at the Max Stern Athletic Center. (Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Or Sundjyvsky Went Off:
It was his afternoon. Sundjyvsky was a man on a mission, putting up a career-high 32 points and 15 rebounds while barely missing a shot (10-12 from the field, 3-3 from three). Every time the Macs needed a big play, he answered the call. Without his dominant performance, this one could’ve gone the other way.
Clutch Second-Half Comeback:
The Macs trailed at halftime, and for the first 12 minutes of the second half, Purchase wouldn’t go away. Then, Yeshiva flipped the switch. A three from Sundjyvsky tied the game at 70, Samet hit a jumper to take the lead, and the Macs never looked back. Down the stretch, they grounded Purchase in the paint, tightened up defensively, controlled the tempo, and nailed their free throws to seal a decisive win.
Winning the Turnover Battle:
Ball management was the difference, even though it was turnovers galore , with Purchase edging YU 18-17 in that department. Still, Yeshiva took care of the rock in key moments and made smart decisions, while the Panthers struggled with costly mistakes. It allowed the Macs to dictate the pace, get into their offense, and close things out efficiently. They outscored the visitors 20-16 in points off gaffes. In a tight game, limiting mistakes while capitalizing on your opportunities is enormous, and Yeshiva did precisely that.
For Purchase: (10-11, 6-6 Skyline):
-Rashid Nikiema led Purchase with 26 points.
- Desmond Ward added 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Panthers, including a team-high 5-8 from three.
- The Panthers outshot the Macs from deep, going 14-32, while YU converted only 10 times in 25 tries.
For Yeshiva (13-8) (10-2 Skyline):
- Or Sundjyvsky feasted with 32 points, 15 rebounds, 10-12 FG, 3-3 3PT
- Zevi Samet stayed hot with 23 points, three steals, and a key go-ahead jumper in the second half
- Yeshiva outscored Purchase 47-35 after halftime, closing on an 18-12 run
Up Next:
The Macs travel to Mount Saint Vincent on Tuesday for a rematch with the Dolphins who they trounced 112-75 at home on January 5th. Tip- off is slated for 8:00PM.
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