11-6-2015 | Lions Sneak Past Fasman Yeshiva, 45-40

11-6-2015 | Lions Sneak Past Fasman Yeshiva, 45-40

By: Tani Finkelsein

A Tier II game Friday morning pitted the #4 seed Hillel Community Lions against the #5 seed Fasman Yeshiva High School. Fasman got off to a strong start, but Hillel stayed close behind. With strong play from Michael Younes and Arik Tieke, Fasman stayed ahead by a small margin. Lions forward Jacky Klainbaum hit a jumper at the buzzer to pull Hillel within two points at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Fasman stayed ahead, but only by a bit. Some strong play from Alan Pinkhasov kept Hillel in striking distance. At the end of the half, it was 22-19, in favor of Fasman. Younes, Tieke, and Ari Cohen all led Fasman with six points apiece, while Pinkhasov led Hillel with 10 points.

In the third quarter, it remained a close game, but with solid play from Younes, Fasman remained ahead. Then, with some strong play down low from Roey Zakan, the Lions gained some momentum and stole the lead, putting themselves up four points to close the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the score remained super close, with Hillel ahead by only a small margin. Michael Younes dropped two buckets to cut Fasman’s deficit to only one point. However, with a triple and then a steal-and-score, the Lions were back up by six. Fasman forward Eli Greer countered with a triple, putting Fasman down only three. Fasman gave themselves chances, but ultimately could not convert in the closing minute, and Pinkhasov clinched the game for Hillel with some clutch free-throws. The final score was 45-40, Hillel. Alan Pinkhasov led Hillel with 13 points, and Roey Zaken pitched in 8 points for them as well. Younes led Fasman with 14 points. The Lions move into the Tier 2 semi-finals, while Fasman moves into the Tier 2 consolation bracket.