Heat Rises! Hillel Survives the Storm in a 60–57 Tier I Thriller!

In one of the most electrifying games of the tournament so far, the #4-seeded Hillel Yeshiva HEAT battled through four quarters of intensity to edge out the #5-seeded TABC STORM 60–57 in a Tier I classic that had the crowd roaring from tipoff to the final buzzer.

From the start, it was a high-level chess match between two powerhouse programs. The Storm struck early behind the sharpshooting of Akiva Borgen, who poured in 20 points and kept TABC within striking distance all night. His backcourt partner Y. Faber added 18, while Y. Kahn chipped in 10, combining to give TABC one of the tournament’s most efficient scoring trios.

But the Heat lived up to their name — and turned it up when it mattered most. Abe Franco was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 19 points, showcasing a mix of finesse and power as he took over key possessions down the stretch. B. Epstein delivered clutch shots on his way to 13 points, and A. Tobias added 12, giving Hillel multiple weapons that kept the Storm guessing defensively.

The game stayed within a few possessions the entire way. Every TABC run was answered by a Hillel response — whether it was Franco attacking the rim, Epstein drilling a jumper, or Chehebar finding space for key buckets. In the final minute, with TABC threatening to tie it, Hillel’s defense forced a critical stop, sealing the win and sparking a roar from their bench and fans alike.

The final score — Hillel HEAT 60, TABC STORM 57 — reflected a matchup worthy of its seeding. The Heat showed composure under pressure and the heart of a championship contender, while the Storm went down swinging with pride and precision.

As the Tier I bracket tightens, one thing’s clear: the Heat are getting hotter with every game.

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