(yumacs.com) It was a historic evening for senior guard Yuval Nitzan and the Yeshiva University women’s basketball team on Monday evening. Nitzan eclipsed the 1,000-career point milestone and helped the Maccabees earn a convincing victory over the Beavers of City College N.Y., 64-29, at ARC Arena.
Nitzan becomes the third player in program history to score at least 1,000 points in her collegiate career. The previous two were Yeshiva Athletics Hall of Famer Daniela Epstein (‘03) and four-year standout Michal Alge (‘19).
The milestone-clinching basket occurred with 3:34 remaining in the second quarter. Junior guard Shai Rahamim intercepted a CCNY pass attempt and threw a long pass to Nitzan who was well ahead of the pack. Nitzan bounced the ball on the run and then converted the uncontested layup for points number 999 and 1,000 of her illustrious career. That historic basket gave the Maccabees (5-6) a commanding 31-11 hold late in the first half.
“Reaching 1,000 points felt amazing,” Nitzan said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates and coaches. We’re having a good season so far. We have been winning games and our purpose is to make the playoffs. The team works hard every practice and every game. I’m so proud of them and thankful to have them as my teammates.”
Nitzan finished the evening with a double-double by scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Hod Hasharon native also had four steals, three assists and a block. Nitzan now has 1,008 points in her career, the third most in the history of the Yeshiva University women’s basketball program.
“I just love playing basketball and hoping to continue our great season,” Nitzan said.
As a team, the Maccabees have now won four of their last five games. “The team is playing basketball that is fun to watch,” Yeshiva University Head Coach Bill Zatulskis said. “Yuval Nitzan has become the ultimate teammate. The really special players make everyone around them better and that is what Yuval has done. She has sacrificed her own scoring to help the team become more efficient and balanced in scoring. The 1,000-point achievement is one she richly deserves. She is a very special player.”
For the game, Yeshiva led from wire-to-wire, jumping out to a 7-0 lead, and never looking back. YU’s defense held City College (2-6) to without a field goal for the first eight minutes of the contest. In fact, thanks to the strong pressure from the Maccabees, the Beavers only shot 15.5% from the floor during the evening.
For the Maccabees, junior guard Daniella Bessler led all players with 21 points, while collecting a game-high five steals, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out a pair of assists. Rahamim had a strong evening with 16 points, seven assists, three boards and just as many steals. Senior forward Daniella Rothman notched her fourth double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while delivering four assists.
Senior forward Gabrielle Kupferman had a solid game for the Macs, netting three points and clutching six caroms. Sophomore guard Abigail Koenig brought down seven rebounds, while rookie forward Mia Denti snatched five boards of her own.
