Cougars Dominate Utah in Rivalry Victory – Deseret News
The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars have achieved an impressive victory over their longtime rivals, the Utah Runnin’ Utes. The matchup took place on Saturday at the Marriott Center, where BYU triumphed with a final score of 91-78. This win improved BYU’s record to 17-2 for the season and 5-1 in Big 12 conference play.
AJ Dybantsa’s Historic Performance
Freshman AJ Dybantsa showcased an extraordinary game, marking his comeback after a disappointing performance the previous week against Texas Tech. Dybantsa scored a career-high of 43 points, shooting 15 of 24 from the field. His contributions also included six rebounds, three assists, and a block.
The scoring breakdown for Dybantsa was remarkable, with 19 points in the first half and 23 in the second half. This achievement not only set a new freshman scoring record for BYU but also made him the first Cougar to score 40 points in a game since 2015. Dybantsa hit four three-pointers, including three in the second half, demonstrating his talent and resilience.
Utah’s Notable Shooting
While BYU celebrated Dybantsa’s performance, the Runnin’ Utes also displayed impressive shooting skills. Utah achieved a striking 61.9% from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 21 attempts. This effort was led by Terrence Brown and Keanu Dawes, who combined to go 8 for 9 from three-point range. Their success in shooting helped keep the game competitive despite BYU’s offensive strength.
BYU’s Strong Offensive Strategy
BYU’s overall offensive play was exceptional during the game. The Cougars shot 53.3% from the field and 42.1% on three-pointers, while also converting 19 of 23 free throw attempts. With the team averaging 1.42 points per possession, they effectively shared the ball, recording 17 assists against only eight turnovers.
- AJ Dybantsa: 43 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
- Rob Wright III: 21 points
- Richie Saunders: 12 points
- Keba Keita, Abdullah Ahmed, Mihailo Boskovic: 15 combined points
As the Cougars celebrate this significant win, they are aware of the need to tighten their perimeter defense, especially with No. 1 Arizona set to visit soon. This victory against Utah highlights BYU’s potential on the court and showcases the emerging talent of young athletes like Dybantsa.
