NEW YORK, N.Y. (11/19/23) – Senior guard Tavon Jones connected for a game-high 30 points to lead six players in double figures as the Nichols College men's basketball team defeated Yeshiva University, 97-92, on Sunday afternoon at the Max Stearn Athletic Center.

Nichols jumps to 4-1 on the season with the win, while Yeshiva drops to 3-3 (0-1 Skyline) with the loss.

Jones generated his 30-point performance off 7-of-11 shooting, and paired it with seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. Junior Dominic Mello chipped in a season-best 15 points, with four rebounds and a team-best five assists. To complete the double-digit scorers, Mykel Derring and Deshaun Nettles each claimed 12 points, while freshman Simon Percy and Jason Ofcarcik each scored 10. As a team, the Bison had their best shooting day of the season, going 31-of-59 (52.5%) from the floor.

Yeshiva led 23-12 with 14:29 remaining in the first half when the Bison embarked on an 8-0 run to pull within three. Following a single make by the Maccabees, the Bison would net points on the next two drives off layups by Derring and Percy, which added to what would be a 20-points from the paint half for the visitors. With under 7:30 to play, Nichols found themselves still trailing the Maccabees 31-26, but then seized their first lead of the contest on back-to-back three pointers by Percy and Mello to kick-off a 9-0 run. The Bison finished the half leading by five points at 50-45.

The second half was all about stretching out the lead for the Bison, but the Maccabees made sure it didn't come easily. The Bison's biggest break came between the 15^th and 12^th minute of the half in the form of a 14-5 run, giving them a 71-59 lead. Yeshiva then utilized the next five minutes of play to slowly catch up to the Bison, pulling the score back to within three with 6:52 remaining. The two teams continued to trade baskets at each end of the court, but Nichols eventually pulled away late with the help of free throws to win it, 97-92.

The Bison will have the Thanksgiving week off before hitting the road again for a matchup at CCC newcomer Hartford University, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM at Chase Family Arena.