The Berkeley College women's basketball team picked up a dominating victory on Sunday afternoon, downing NCAA Division III affiliate Yeshiva University by a score of 73-51. The game took place at Baruch College's ARC Arena in New York, NY. With the win, the Knights improved to a mark of 3-2 on the 2024-2025 campaign, while the Maccabees dipped to 0-2.
Pacing the Knights in their victory was Ariella Johnson, as she put forth a superb effort, connecting on eight of her 11 attempts from the floor on her way to tying for the game-high of 19 points. Her six steals also led all players, and she collected five rebounds on the afternoon. Magan Jackson posted a double-double with 16 points and a game-best 15 rebounds to go along with four assists and four steals, and Maria Negron and Khya Hough scored eight and seven points, respectively. Negron also snatched 11 rebounds, dished two assists, and swiped two steals.
Despite the loss for the Maccabees, Yeshiva University was paced by Daniella Bessler, as she posted a double-double, tying for the game-high of 19 points while also registering team-bests of 11 rebounds and three steals. Tali Cohen added 12 points, and both Jasmin Maly-Danker and Shai Rahamim scored eight points and grabbed four boards. Rahamim's five assists led all players.
Both squads traded baskets in the opening stages of the clash, with the teams finding themselves knotted at five apiece with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter. The Knights finished the opening period strong, going on a 10-3 run to snatch a 15-8 advantage after 10 minutes of action. That aforementioned spurt was highlighted by Jackson's six points.
Yeshiva University was able to inch to within two points down, thanks to efficient play by Bessler and Maly-Danker, but Berkeley outscored Yeshiva 21-3 over the final 7:37 of the quarter to take a commanding 38-18 edge at halftime. Johnson scored 11 of those 21 during that run.
The Maccabees came out of the half red-hot, with three consecutive conversions from Bessler, Maly-Danker and Naomi Sigman, to slice Berkeley's advantage 13, 38-25, with 8:11 remaining in the quarter. Much like the second quarter however, Berkeley College responded, as the Knights scored 17 of the next 25 points to take a 55-33 edge after 30 minutes of action.
Berkeley and Yeshiva scored 18 points apiece in the fourth quarter, as the Knights went on to register an impressive 22-point win (73-51).
The Knights were the far more efficient team shooting the basketball, connecting on 30 of their 72 attempts from the floor (41.7 percent), while Yeshiva hit on just 21 of 70 shots from the floor (30 percent). Berkeley held a dominant 56-41 edge on the glass, while also winning the turnover battle, committing 23 miscues, while the hosts had 28. The Knights held a 15-11 advantage in steals, but the Maccabees earned 15 assists to Berkeley's 10.
Berkeley will return to action on Saturday, November 30, as the Knights will travel to Syracuse, NY to take on Villa Maria in an NACIA contest. Start-time for the game is scheduled for 1:00pm.
