(yumacs.com) The Yeshiva University women’s basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with an impressive victory over Lehman College, 64-50, at Riesenberg Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a close game throughout the first three periods, but the Maccabees had a big fourth quarter by outscoring the Lightning, 22-12, during the final 10 minutes of the game.
“Great team effort,” Yeshiva University Head Coach Bill Zatulskis said. “They played well together at both ends of the floor. It was fun basketball to watch.”
Leading the way for the Maccabees was Yuval Nitzan who led all players with 24 points and seven assists. She also forced four steals and blocked three shots. Daniella Rothman notched a double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds. The Woodmere native also had a game-high four blocks, forced two steals and delivered a pair of assists. Renee Benjamini netted 10 points and brought down four boards.
As a team, Yeshiva blocked 11 shots during the game.
“We’re so happy to open the season with a dub!” Nitzan said. “We’ve all worked hard over the summer break and in practices now to be ready to play our best this season.”
After a tight opening two quarters, Yeshiva finished the first half on a positive note as Nitzan drained two free throws with two seconds left to put the Macs in front, 27-26, going into the break.
In the early stages of the third period, Yeshiva took over the momentum by going on a 13-4 run, capped off by a layup from Benjamini, to take a commanding 42-32 hold with 4:04 remaining. The Lightning countered with six straight points to shrink the Macs’ lead to 42-38 and that would be the score after 30 minutes of action.
The Blue and White got off to a great start in the fourth, as a jump shot by Shai Rahamim, and a three-point basket by Nitzan, extended the home team’s lead to 47-38. Lehman rallied to shrink its deficit to three, at 49-46, with 6:07 left to play in regulation time.
From that point on, Yeshiva dominated the game by scoring 13 straight points in a span of 4:04 to take a commanding 62-46 advantage with just 1:38 left to play. Benjamini began Yeshiva’s late-game surge with a successful jump shot and then Rothman capped it off with a layup.
Yeshiva went on to earn the season-opening victory, 64-50.
“I think that today we played great as a team both on defense and on offense,” Nitzan said. “We have the potential to be a great team and win more games. Thanks to all the fans who came to support us!”
