AJ Dybantsa Dominates as BYU Basketball Leads Iowa State Men's Basketball in Thrilling Second Half — BYU vs Iowa State Basketball Live Update

PROVO, Utah — February 22, 2026 — The BYU Cougars are making a powerful statement in tonight's Big 12 showdown. In one of the most anticipated college basketball matchups of the weekend, BYU basketball holds a commanding 47-38 lead over Iowa State men's basketball with 14:02 remaining in the second half. This BYU vs Iowa State basketball clash is delivering everything fans hoped for — and the story of the night has one name written all over it: AJ Dybantsa.

AJ Dybantsa is Putting on a Clinic

The BYU basketball freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa is absolutely torching the Iowa State Cyclones defense. The 19-year-old forward — widely regarded as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 and a projected top NBA Draft pick — has already racked up a game-high 19 points on an exceptional 8-of-14 shooting from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, backed by 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His efficiency rating of 22 is by far the highest of any player on either side of the floor in this Iowa State vs BYU contest.

Dybantsa isn't just scoring — he's dictating the game's tempo. He's converting 85.7% of his attempts in the paint, slashing through Iowa State's interior defense with ease, and making winning plays on both ends of the floor. His 4 assists highlight a playmaking dimension that makes him virtually unguardable for the Iowa State men's basketball unit tonight.

With 12 points in the paint already to his name, Dybantsa is making it look effortless against one of the Big 12's toughest defensive programs.

BYU Basketball Dominates the Paint and the Glass

The broader BYU basketball story tonight goes well beyond any individual. The Cougars are winning the battle of the trenches in emphatic fashion — outrebounding the Cyclones 27 to 17 and generating a massive 28 points in the paint compared to Iowa State's 14. BYU's field goal percentage sits at 48.7% overall and a blistering 60.9% on two-point attempts, reflecting their relentless commitment to attacking the basket.

BYU's ability to convert off turnovers has been equally critical in this BYU vs Iowa State basketball matchup — the Cougars have turned Iowa State miscues into 11 points off turnovers, while the Cyclones have only managed 4 in return. BYU has also dominated second-chance opportunities, generating 8 second-chance points by attacking the offensive glass all night.

Khadim Mboup has been a quiet but enormous force in the frontcourt for BYU basketball, pulling down 9 rebounds in just his allotted minutes. Robert Wright III has added energy off the ball — tallying 6 points, 2 steals, and 2 assists while helping shut down Iowa State's perimeter attack. Mihailo Boskovic has been crisp and efficient, shooting 60% from the field for 7 points.

Iowa State Men's Basketball Fights — But Can't Find Answers

To their credit, the Iowa State men's basketball team has not folded. Joshua Jefferson has been the Cyclones' most complete player, contributing 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block — an all-around effort that's keeping Iowa State within striking distance in this Iowa State vs BYU battle. Tamin Lipsey has added 7 points and 3 assists as the primary playmaker, trying to ignite the offense through ball movement.

But Iowa State basketball is struggling where it hurts most: in the paint and on the glass. The Cyclones' defensive rebounding has been solid with 12 defensive boards, but their offensive rebounding is a glaring weakness — they've grabbed only 2 offensive rebounds all night, limiting their second-chance opportunities and giving BYU's defense an easier assignment.

The Iowa State men's basketball three-point attack has flashed some promise — the Cyclones are shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc on 13 attempts — but turnovers at the worst possible moments have consistently derailed momentum-building runs. With 7 total turnovers, Iowa State has simply gifted too many easy opportunities to a BYU team that doesn't need any help.

Their biggest deficit in this BYU vs Iowa State basketball game stands at 13 points — a hole they clawed their way back from partially, but one they now find themselves staring at once again.

First Half Recap: BYU Set the Tone Early

BYU basketball came out of the gate with purpose. The Cougars closed the first half leading 39-30, establishing their inside-out game immediately and riding Dybantsa's dominance to take firm control. Iowa State showed fight — at one point answering BYU's burst with a 7-point run of their own — but the Cougars proved relentless.

The second half has seen both teams trade basket for basket in the early going, with the score moving 8-8 in that frame. But BYU's 9-point cushion has held firm, and the Cougars' structural advantages on the glass and at the rim continue to favor them as the clock winds down.

What's at Stake: Big 12 Implications

This Iowa State vs BYU matchup carries significant Big 12 Conference weight. For BYU basketball, a victory tonight would be a statement win — reinforcing the Cougars as a legitimate conference contender and boosting their NCAA Tournament résumé heading into the home stretch of the regular season. For Iowa State men's basketball, a loss here would represent a damaging setback in their own bid for conference standing and postseason positioning.

The Cyclones will need a complete second-half turnaround. They must clean up their turnover issues, crash the offensive glass more effectively, and somehow find an answer for a freshman phenom who is playing like he's already been in this league for three years.

With 14 minutes left, BYU basketball controls its own destiny. AJ Dybantsa and the Cougars are playing with confidence, precision, and a hunger that has Iowa State back on its heels. Unless the Cyclones manufacture something special in the final stretch, this night belongs to BYU.

Stay tuned for full final score and post-game updates.