Texas Tech Defeats Cougars – Deseret News

Emerson Raymont

ago 2 hours

Texas Tech Defeats Cougars – Deseret News

In a disappointing turn of events, BYU’s impressive 13-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday as they fell to Texas Tech, 84-71. The Cougars now have a season record of 16 wins and 2 losses, with a 4-1 standing in Big 12 play.

Key Moments from the Game

BYU initially held a strong lead, topping at 61-52 with 8:10 remaining. However, the situation quickly deteriorated as they managed only 13 more points, culminating in a decisive 13-point loss. Texas Tech orchestrated a powerful 32-10 run to close the game, completely overtaking the Cougars.

Struggles of Star Player

A significant factor in BYU’s defeat was AJ Dybantsa, who experienced a rare off game. After a notable streak of 10 consecutive games scoring over 20 points, he fell to a career-low of 13 points against the Red Raiders. Dybantsa struggled with his shooting, making just 6 of 17 attempts, and finished with no successful 3-point shots out of three attempts. This game marked a significant shift from his usual performance where he averaged 8.5 free throws per game; he only managed one in this matchup.

Challenges Beyond the Arc

BYU faced notable challenges both in shooting and defending 3-pointers throughout the game. The team shot a mere 22.7% from beyond the arc, with Richie Saunders contributing three of the Cougars’ five overall makes. Players like Rob Wright III and Kennard Davis Jr. struggled significantly; Wright went 1 of 5, while Davis ended up 0 for 6. Contrastingly, Texas Tech posted a 38% shooting percentage from long range, excelling in the second half. Notably, JT Toppin, who had struggled all season with three-pointers, successfully made three shots from the perimeter.

Looking Ahead

The Cougars will take some time to regroup with a week off before their next game against Utah on Saturday. This loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they must address as the season progresses.