NEW YORK, N.Y. - Sophomore guard Jimmy Dominkewicz (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) scored a game-high 17 points, but the Stevens men's basketball team dropped a 59-55 decision to Yeshiva University in the first round of the Skyline Conference Tournament on Monday night at the Max Stern Athletic Center.
Neither team led by more than four points through the first 18 minutes of the second half. With the score knotted at 48-48, sophomore guard Adam Cirnigliaro (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) connected on a 3-pointer from the left wing to give Stevens a 3-point lead with 6:41 remaining. Yeshiva scored the next five points to re-take the lead. Sophomore guard Benji Golbert pulled the Maccabees to within one with a layup at the 5:21 mark. Yeshiva then tied the game at 51-51 when senior guard Jack Yulzary made the second of two free throws. Freshman center Harel Vatavu sank a pair of free throws with 2:42 remaining two put the Maccabees ahead for good, 53-51.
Stevens pulled two within one point when freshman forward Tim Williams (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) made the second of two free throws with 2:21 left. The first free throw was negated by a lane violation.
With the shot clock winding down on Yeshiva's next possession, Golbert buried a 3-pointer from the right side with 1:56 remaining to give the Maccabees a 56-52 lead. The Ducks committed three turnovers down the stretch as they were unable to cut into the Yeshiva lead. Senior Rafi Halpert made one of two free throws and Golbert scored on a putback in the final minute to stretch the lead to seven. Stevens sophomore Ryan Kander (Belle Harbor, N.Y./Xaverian) connected on a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to pull the Ducks within four.
Stevens came out strong in the opening half. Dominkewicz, who was fouled beyond the arc, made three free throws two give Stevens a 31-20 lead with 4:29 left in the first period. Halpert and freshman Ian Ribald each hit a 3-pointer as the Maccabees closed the half with an 11-2 run to pull within 33-31 at halftime.
Yeshiva limited Stevens to just 33.3 percent shooting (7-for-21) in the second half. The Ducks also committed 20 turnovers to just eight for the Maccabees on the night.
Golbert led Yeshiva with 14 points. Ribald and Yulzary added 12 points apiece.
Kander added 10 points for the Ducks. Collins added 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. His four blocks gave him 75 for the season, setting a single-season school record. The previous mark of 73 was held by Dave Bonifacic (1985-86) and Rich Berry (1995-96).
