BYU Guard Richie Saunders Injures Lower Leg in Colorado Matchup

Richie Saunders, a guard for BYU, suffered a lower leg injury during a recent game against Colorado. The incident occurred just 45 seconds into the matchup, taking place on Saturday. Saunders fell awkwardly after attempting a drive to the basket and then passing the ball out to teammate Keba Keita.

Immediately after the fall, Saunders clutched his right calf and remained on the court for several minutes. While BYU trainers assisted him, he managed to walk to the locker room unaided after passing the halfcourt line. The severity of his injury remains unclear as no updates were provided post-game.

Game Outcome and Player Impact

Despite Saunders’ unfortunate exit, the No. 22 BYU Cougars secured a dramatic victory over Colorado, winning 90-86 in overtime. His absence was felt throughout the game as the team rotated backup guards Tyler Mrus and Aleksej Kostic to cover his position. Both players contributed by hitting a pair of three-pointers and finishing with six points each.

Coach Kevin Young expressed concern over the emotional impact of Saunders’ injury, stating it “sucked the life out of the gym.” He emphasized the importance of Saunders to the team, referring to him as the heart and soul of BYU basketball.

Richie Saunders’ Performance and Recognition

Prior to the injury, Saunders was performing at a high level, averaging 18.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting. His stats also included six rebounds and 1.8 steals across 32.6 minutes of play. This season, he has formed a dominant trio with teammates AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III, collectively averaging over 60 points per game.

Last season, Saunders earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was named the league’s Most Improved Player. He averaged 16.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.2% from three-point range.

• Injury Details: Lower leg injury, right calf affected.
• Game Result: BYU defeated Colorado 90-86 (OT).
• Player Contributions:
  • Aleksej Kostic: 6 points, 2 three-pointers.
  • Tyler Mrus: 6 points, 2 three-pointers.
• Season Averages for Saunders:
  • Points: 18.8
  • Shooting Percentage: 48.9%
  • Rebounds: 6
  • Steals: 1.8

The BYU basketball team will monitor Saunders’ condition closely as they continue their season and strive to compete at a high level.