MONTCLAIR, NJ - Cementing their status as one of the 16 best teams in all of Division III, the Yeshiva Men's Basketball defeated the University of Maine-Farmington in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, downing the Beavers 92-69 to advance to the Sweet 16.
 
This is the second time in program history that the Maccabees have reached the Sweet 16, and the first time they will be able to participate. YU previously advanced to the third round of the tournament back in the 2019-20 season prior to its cancellation due to Covid-19.
 
Offensively, Yeshiva saw four players score in double digits. Yoav Oselka led the way with 27 points, Zevi Samet tallied 16, Yair Dovrat splashed in 13, and Nate Jacobs put up a new personal best of 10.
 
On top of his scoring prowess, Oselka also ruled the paint. The big man completed his double-double with 11 rebounds, while also adding a block and a steal.
 
With the result, the Maccabees' record improves to 22-8 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
While the Beavers were able to keep pace through the first four minutes, seeing the game tied at 6-all, Yeshiva quickly broke away. Catalyzed by a deep Samet three, YU's advantage leapt out to eight points over the next three minutes, going on to crack double digits just before the 10-minute mark when two Osleka foul shots bumped the lead up to 25-15.
 
Remarkably, despite initial success from deep, the majority of YU's offensive production did not come from Samet. Yeshiva's superstar was relatively quiet throughout the first half, putting up just seven points on 3-10 shooting. Embodying the "next man up ethos" however, his teammates stepped up in his stead. Oselka dominated the glass with 13 points through the first 20 minutes, while Dothan Bardichev adopted the role of sharpshooter with nine points on a trio of triples. This production combined with the efforts of Max Zakheim and Roy Itcovichi, gave YU a comfortable 47-34 cushion headed into the break.
 
The second half saw Yeshiva truly break away. Before five minutes had elapsed, the Maccabees already sported a lead that broke the 20-point barrier, up by 21 at 59-38 with 15:35 left in regulation. This advantage refused to waver, never again dipping below 17 points, and reaching a zenith of 25 on four separate occasions.
 
With three minutes left and the game well in hand, Yeshiva's bench unit was allowed valuable minutes up against top-notch competition. Joe Schanzer, Tom Valdman, Hillel Baynash, Noam Edri, Tom Beza, and Ari Schklyar all got the opportunity to handle the rock, with Beza, Edri, and Schanzer tallying buckets in NCAA Tournament Play.
 
As the final seconds ticked away, a raucous crowd, once again stuffed to the brim with Yeshiva faithful, turned Montclair's Panzer Athletic Center into the MSAC, celebrating the night away as their Maccabees came away with a 92-69 win.
 
MAC LEADERS
Points: Oselka (24), Samet (16), Dovrat (13), Jacobs (10)
Assists: Dovrat (6), Oselka (4), Bardichev (2)
Rebounds: Oselka (11), Jacobs (7), Bardichev (4), Itcovichi (4)
Steals: Bardichev (2), Samet (2), Oselka (1), Itcovichi (1), Dovrat (1), Zakheim (1), Beza (1)
Blocks: Oselka (1)
 
UP NEXT
The Maccabees have secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Yeshiva will travel down to Atlanta to take on Emory University on Friday, Mar. 13th.

-Written by Yeshiva Athletic Communications Department