NEW YORK - Yeshiva University has long been known for its religious education, but now it is becoming a basketball powerhouse.

The Yeshiva Maccabees are set to play Friday in their first NCAA Basketball Tournament for Division 3 schools. 

This, after they clinched their conference championship on Sunday — a first for the 85-year-old team.

Players say they practice six days a week at 6 a.m., even while remaining religiously observant Jews, which means they cannot play on the Jewish Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

"We can't even practice, we can't get shots up, we can't watch film, so it's something we really have to deal with," said Eli Mamann, forward for the Yeshiva Maccabees.

Friday's game is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. in Pennsylvania, ensuring that players will be done in time for sundown.