11-5-2015 | HAFTR Hawks Soar Past Feisty Fasman Yeshiva, 56-47

11-5-2015 | HAFTR Hawks Soar Past Feisty Fasman Yeshiva, 56-47

By: Ezra Cooper

The fourth game of the Cooper Invitational featured the defending champion HAFTR Hawks of New York against the Fasman Yeshiva from Skokie, Illinois.

Fasman won the opening tip of the game, but they immediately turned it over which led to a Max Rosner jumper. Early in the 1st quarter, both teams struggled to get in an offensive groove. With 3:28 left in the 1st quarter, Fasman took a timeout down 9-6. After the timeout, the score went back and forth. At the end of the 1st quarter, HAFTR led 18-10.

In the 3rd quarter, Jacob Siri hit a jumper to get things started for HAFTR. The following possession, Abraham hit a 3 pointer to make the score 40-21. With 5:56 to play, Fasman called a timeout to get things organized. After the timeout, the teams exchanged scores. Fasman cut the deficit to 16 with 3 minutes left before HAFTR’s Abie Perlow added 2 points for the Hawks. The teams continued to exchange buckets. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Fasman cut the lead down to 12, 45-33. The momentum had to Fasman as the game headed to the 4th quarter.

In the 4th quarter, HAFTR answered back with a layup by Max Rosner. With 6 minutes left, Fasman cut the deficit down to 11 against the defending Cooper Invitational champions. Two minutes later, the lead was just 9 for the Hawks. With 3 and a-half minutes left, Fasman’s Arik Tieke grabbed his 6th rebound, but Sammy Mendel came up with a huge steal and layup to give HAFTR an 11 point lead. The score was 51-40 with 3 minutes left. With 2 minutes left, Zev Lafer came up with a steal and layup. However, Abie Perlow answered for HAFTR with an and-1, to give HAFTR an 11 point lead. As the clock ticked down, Fasman’s chances were decreasing by the second. The final score was 56-47, HAFTR. HAFTR was led by big man Abie Perlow who had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Fasman was led by Michael Younes who had 18 points and 5 rebounds.

The Hawks continue on in Tier 1 and will play the winner of the RASG/Or Chaim game, while Fasman waits for their matchup in Tier 2.