As always, MTA, the host school of Yeshiva University’s annual Red Sarachek Basketball Tournament, played in the prime time 5:30 PM Tier One qualifier game against longtime cross-country rival YULA. With the historic rivalry between the two teams, this game was destined to be a thriller. After being beaten by YULA in the same opening tier one game last year, the Lions were hungry for revenge.

The game opened up in disappointing fashion, with YULA taking an early lead and going into the locker room at halftime with a 20-10 lead. However, amid the support and cheering of the entire MTA student body, MTA came out of the locker room on fire, hitting their shots and creeping up on YULA’s lead. After two three pointers by senior Aryeh Halpert, the fans were overpowering the gym with their cheering, and senior Binyamin Buchbinder finally tied up the game for MTA in the fourth quarter at 22. The Lions never looked back, and continued to play behind their ferocious defense as they continued their second-half 21-4 point run. The team leaders were seniors Yehuda Colton with seven points and eight rebounds, and Aryeh Halpert with nine points.