Brigham Young's high-powered offense proved too much for Baylor to handle, as the Cougars took down the Bears 99-94 at Foster Pavilion. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. In the end, it was BYU's balanced attack and clutch performances from its top players that secured the win.
AJ Dybantsa's 7 Assists Tie Season High
Tounde Yessoufou was nearly unstoppable for Baylor, scoring 37 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. However, AJ Dybantsa and the Cougars had an answer for every Baylor run. Dybantsa finished with 36 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing his all-around skills and ability to take over the game when needed. Robert Wright III added 30 points for BYU, while Richie Saunders chipped in with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
The game was tied at 41 at halftime, with both teams shooting over 50% from the field. In the second half, BYU began to pull away, thanks in large part to Dybantsa's heroics. The Cougars outscored Baylor 58-53 in the final 20 minutes, with Dybantsa scoring 22 of his 36 points in the second half. Cameron Carr and Caden Powell tried to keep Baylor in the game, scoring 24 and 13 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' onslaught.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout predicted a close game, with BYU winning by 2.7 points. In the end, the Cougars exceeded that margin, winning by 5. The prediction proved correct, as BYU's high-powered offense and strong performances from its top players led to the victory.
This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Baylor, the loss drops them to 13-11 on the season, but the fact that it was a Quadrant 1 game will help to mitigate the damage. For BYU, the win improves their record to 18-6 and adds another Quadrant 1 victory to their resume. As a Quadrant 1 win for both teams, this game will be an important one when it comes to tournament seeding and selection.
The win is a significant boost to BYU's tournament chances, as they continue to build a strong case for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. With their high-powered offense and strong performances from players like Dybantsa and Wright III, the Cougars are a team to watch in the coming weeks. For Baylor, the loss is a setback, but the Bears still have a strong chance to make the tournament, thanks to their tough non-conference schedule and Quadrant 1 wins like this one.