Yeshiva stormed into Anderson Hill Road and held off the Valiants, pulling out a gritty 75-70 overtime victory. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was the kind of win that shows why this team refuses to back down. Manhattanville deserves credit, as they came out swinging in the second half. Down 15 at the break, they flipped the script and outscored the Macs 38-23 in the second stanza to force overtime.
For the Macs, it was a story of two halves—and then some. The first half looked like a blowout in the making.
The second half was a battle as Manhattanville chipped away methodically, and their 18-5 run late in the half made every Yeshiva fan sweat. The Macs were ice-cold down the stretch, of regulation, but they managed to rediscover their groove and fend off the Valiants in overtime.
How it Happened:
The Macs and Valiants traded baskets early, tied 11-11. Yeshiva then went on a 29-14 run to close out the half, fueled by Max Zakheim’s 10 points during the stretch. The Macs also shot 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, taking a 45-30 lead into the break.
The Valiants found their groove, outscoring Yeshiva 38-23 in the second half. Led by John Ranaghan, Andrew Saint-Louis, and Emmanuel Udeagha, Manhattanville went on an 18-5 run late in the half, tying the game at 63-63 with just over two minutes remaining.
Both teams struggled to score in the final two minutes, leaving the game tied and forcing overtime.
Manhattanville took their first lead of the game at 67-65 on a Jack Scanlon layup with under three minutes left.
Yeshiva responded with a 10-3 run to seal the game, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in OT. Yoav Oselka pushed the lead to 71-68 with a a layup, before Roy Itcovichi and Zakheim nailed free throws to seal the 75-70 overtime victory.
Zevi Samet had 20 points as the Macs defeated Manhattanville 75-70 in overtime on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Dominance at the Free-Throw Line:
The Maccabees were unstoppable at the charity stripe, converting an impressive 21-of-27 attempts compared to Manhattanville's 12-of-16. The 9-point advantage played a crucial role in a tightly contested game, especially in overtime when Yeshiva went a perfect 6-for-6.
Rebounding and Second-Chance Opportunities:
Yoav Oselka (14 rebounds) and Luke Cronin (11 rebounds) owned the glass, helping YU control the boards and create second-chance scoring opportunities. Their efforts gave Yeshiva an edge in a game where every possession mattered.
Star Power Stepped Up:
Max Zakheim (22 points) and Zevi Samet (20 points) carried the scoring load for the Macs, delivering in key moments, particularly during the first-half run and the clutch free throws in overtime. Their composure and shot-making sealed the victory.
For Yeshiva (6-7, 3-1):
Yeshiva converted 21-of-27 attempts (77.8%), outscoring Manhattanville by 9 points at the stripe.
Yoav Oselka grabbed 14 rebounds, while Luke Cronin added 11,
Max Zakheim led with 22 points, followed by Zevi Samet’s 20, accounting for more than half of the team’s total points, with 42 (56%) of their 75.
For Manhattanville (1-3, 5-8):
Manhattanville shot 8-of-19 (42.1%) from three-point range, significantly outpacing Yeshiva's 4-of-26 performance.
The Valiants’ bench outscored Yeshiva’s 19-8, providing key support throughout the game.
John Ranaghan scored 21 points, Andrew Saint-Louis added 20, and Emmanuel Udeagha recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.