NEWBURGH, NY – Following up on an impressive performance from two nights ago, the Mount Saint Mary College men's basketball team won their second consecutive game on Thursday evening, this time defeating Yeshiva University by a score of 65-49. The Blue Knights improved to 2-13 overall and to 2-6 in the Skyline Conference while the Maccabees dropped to 5-8 overall and to 3-6 in league play.

The Mount trailed only once in the first half and carried a three-point advantage into the intermission (32-29). A three-pointer from senior Alex Kuchar (Rutherford, N.J.) at the 18:06 mark of the second half bumped the lead to eight (39-31), but Yeshiva wouldn't go away just yet. The Maccabees responded with a 12-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from junior Martin Leibovich (Buenos Aries, Argentina), that gave them a 43-41 advantage at the 14:38 mark and forced the Blue Knights to take a timeout.

Out of the timeout, the Blue Knights ripped off a 12-0 run that started with a triple from Kuchar and closed with back-to-back layups from freshman Kevin Milella (Floral Park, N.Y.). The spark that ignited the run for the Mount came at the defensive end of the floor as the Blue Knights picked up their intensity with a switch to a man-to-man defense. Mount Saint Mary would push their lead to as many as eighteen in the final minute before settling in for a sixteen point win.

Kuchar led the team for the second night in a row, tallying 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting and 4-of-9 shooting from behind the arc. Milella chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds during a strong effort. Senior Chris Harrison (Baldwin, N.Y.) was a vital piece of the zone offense for the Blue Knights, contributing 6 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-high 10 assists.

Sophomore Simon Brookim (Brentwood, Calif.) scored a game-high 21 points for Yeshiva and also pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds. Leibovich finished with 14 points and 8 boards, but turned the ball over 7 times.

Mount Saint Mary continues their homestand this Saturday, January 24, when they play host to Purchase College. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start and will occur as part of a double-header with the women's game at 1:00 p.m.