BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence women's basketball team defeated the Yeshiva Maccabees on Sunday afternoon, as four Gryphons finished in double-figures. The Gryphons opened the second half of conference play on Sunday, moving to 8-3 in Skyline contests and 11-5 overall.
Notable Performers
- Sarah Theriault posted another double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds in the win
- Gabby Hudson did a bit of everything, with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals
- Jade Ling Eng-Stewart totaled 16 points and seven rebounds along with a block
- Audrey Mattison poured in 13 points off the bench, knocking down three triples in an efficient 71.4% shooting
How it Happened
The two teams were inseparable throughout the beginning of the contest, with at most a three point difference, at all times. The Maccabees struck first, setting the tone for a competitive matchup, but senior
Gabby Hudson showed up for SLC, scoring the team's first six points and knotting the game up at six with just over five to play. Eng-Stewart stepped up next, with a second-chance score to give SLC the lead and a triple off a pass from Hudson to keep the team ahead on the ensuing Sarah Lawrence possession. After over two minutes of scoreless basketball, Yeshiva answered with a triple of their own to tie the game at 11 with two minutes to play in the first quarter. Eng-Stewart answered with another second-chance score, this time completing the three-point play after finishing through contact, to regain the lead, combining with Hudson for the team's first 14 points. After another YU game-tying triple, Mattison stepped into the first of her three long-range connections, putting SLC up 17-14 with a minute remaining. With 49 seconds left, another YU three pointer, once again tying the contest and showing that the Maccabees were not the same team that SLC took down by over 20 points in December. Theriault got on the board in the final minute, finishing through contact and completing the three-point play to put the Gryphons up 20-17. The Maccabees got a pair of looks in the waning seconds of the frame, but a
Kendall Stephens rebound ended their chances and sent the Gryphons into the second quarter with a one-possession lead.
The Maccabees wasted no time getting back in the game in the second quarter, starting the period with a 10-2 run fueled by two more triples and taking a 27-22 lead. An offensive board by Stephens led to a second-chance bucket for Hudson to stop the bleeding, as the senior got to the line as well for a three-point play. The Maccabees responded with an inside score of their own before Theriault went to work. The first year scored inside on the next two SLC possessions, finishing through contact in the latter for a three-point play and a 5-0 run on her own that put the Gryphons back on top. The visitors answered, but a well-timed make from Mattison gave the sophomore her second three-pointer of the day and returned the lead to the hosts. The long-range connection also started a 7-0 SLC run, as Stephens scored off a pass from Hudson and Eng-Stewart knocked down a pair of looks from the free-throw line. After a YU block, the Maccabees scored from the midrange to bring the score to 37-33 in favor of the Gryphons, but the last 90 seconds of the half would be barren as the scoreline would carry into the half.
The Maccabees continued to stay within striking distance early in the third quarter, but an inside score by Hudson and another Mattison triple kept the hosts ahead. With just under seven minutes to play Theriault connected on both shots from the line before
Jersana Moore found Mattison for a jumper at the free throw line that put SLC up by seven. The Gryphons did not stop there, as Theriualt and Hudson each scored on second-chance opportunities before an Eng-Stewart layup with just under four minutes put the team up by 13. Theriault capped the 12-0 run by knocking down a jumper shortly after a steal by Moore and the Gryphons led 54-39 with three minutes left in the period. The Maccabees got some back at the line, but a pair of late
Kaila Dorch baskets stopped any momentum until a last-second triple by the visitors to send the game into the fourth quarter with 10 points separating the teams.
Five YU points in the first minute of the final frame made it a two-possession game and erased the lead that the Gryphons had built up in the third quarter. Eng-Stewart stepped into a three off the dribble to stop the run and an immediate SLC timeout let the energy build for the Gryphons after the make. The Maccabees came out of the pause unfazed, scoring twice to close the gap to just four points with under eight to play, keeping the lead very much in reach. It would be Theriault to step up for Sarah Lawrence as the incumbent Skyline Rookie of the Week went on an 8-0 run by herself, completing a three-point play before doing so the old fashioned way from behind the arc. Lastly, another steal by Moore led Hudson to find Theriault for a transition bucket, putting SLC up 69-57 with just under six to play. A steal by Stephens a minute later turned into another score for Hudson, but an immediate response from range by the Maccabees kept it an 11-point game with four to play. Despite the brief resurgence, the Gryphons held on throughout the remainder of the contest. Theriault added yet another three-point play before Dorch found Mattison with a beautiful backdoor pass that extended the lead to 17 with under three minutes remaining. The Maccabees took the next eight points to close the gap to single digits, but a late Eng-Stewart free throw sealed the win and the Gryphons moved to 8-3 in conference play while sweeping the season series against the Maccabees for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Up Next
The Gryphons (11-5, Skyline 8-3) will return to action on Wednesday night as they host St. Joseph's Long Island for a conference clash at the Campbell Sports Center. Tip off is slated for 6:00 p.m. in Bronxville as the Gryphons look to complete the season sweep of the Golden Eagles.
