The Brigham Young University Cougars secured a 10-point victory over the Iowa State University Cyclones, winning 79-69 at the Marriott Center. BYU, ranked 20th in the NET rankings, pulled off the upset against the 9th-ranked Cyclones. The Cougars held a nine-point advantage at halftime, with the score 39-30 in their favor. In the second half, BYU maintained their lead, outscoring Iowa State by just one point, 40-39.
The outcome marked a notable win for BYU, as they capitalized on their home-court advantage to take down a higher-ranked opponent. The Cyclones, meanwhile, were unable to overcome the deficit, ultimately falling by a margin of 10 points. The performance of one player, in particular, stood out in this contest, with a showing that far exceeded their typical production, setting the tone for the Cougars' victory.
A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from AJ Dybantsa set the tone for BYU, as his well-rounded stat line also included 9 assists and 1 block. His 10-17 shooting from the field and 7-9 mark from the free throw line were key factors in the team's victory. With the game on the line, Dybantsa's ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game proved invaluable. The freshman standout Kennard Davis Jr. also made significant contributions, erupting for 17 points on 6-13 shooting from the field, including 3-8 from beyond the arc.
Erupting for 29 points, Dybantsa's effort was complemented by the shooting of Kennard Davis Jr., whose 3-8 mark from three-point range helped to stretch the defense. His 17-point outing was supported by 4 rebounds, as Davis Jr. played a crucial role in the team's win. Mihailo Bošković's 13 points, which came on 5-11 shooting from the field, provided additional scoring punch, with his 2-8 mark from three-point range and 1-1 effort from the free throw line contributing to the team's overall output.
Finishing with 19 points on 7-15 shooting from Tamin Lipsey wasn't enough to keep Iowa State in it, as his scoring efforts were ultimately overshadowed by the opposing team's performance. His 3-4 mark from beyond the arc was a notable aspect of his game, but it was not sufficient to propel his team to victory. The team's leading scorer, Lipsey, also chipped in with 5 rebounds and 3 assists, but his overall production was not enough to overcome the deficit.
Despite the loss, Joshua Jefferson's well-rounded stat line was a positive takeaway for Iowa State, with his 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists making him a formidable presence on the court. Jamarion Batemon's 14 points, on the other hand, were largely neutralized by the opposing team's defense, as he was limited to just 1 rebound and no assists. His 4-8 shooting from the field was a bright spot, but it was not enough to make a significant impact on the game's outcome.
A 6-point night from Wright — 12 below his season average — highlighted BYU's defensive effort, underscoring the Cougar's ability to contain their opponents' top scorers. Meanwhile, for Iowa State, a season-low 2-for-10 shooting performance from Caleb Grill, who averages 13.1 points per game, severely impacted the Cyclones' offense, and his 2 turnovers in a critical stretch may have sealed their fate.
The pre-game prediction of a 4.2-point Iowa State victory proved to be wide off the mark, as the Cougars emerged with a 10-point margin, securing a 79-69 win. The disparity between the projected and actual outcome highlights a significant underestimation of BYU's capabilities, which ultimately proved to be the decisive factor in the game's outcome.
Upon closer examination, two key factors stand out as having contributed to BYU's decisive victory. Firstly, the Cougars' ability to dominate the paint was a crucial aspect of their success. Iowa State's struggles to contain BYU's interior scoring and rebounding allowed the Cougars to establish a strong foothold in the game, which they leveraged to build a significant lead. Additionally, BYU's effective three-point shooting was a major factor, as they capitalized on Iowa State's defensive vulnerabilities to connect on a high percentage of their attempts from beyond the arc, stretching the Cyclones' defense to its limits. These two factors combined to create a perfect storm that ultimately led to BYU's convincing win.
The outcome of this matchup has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For BYU, the victory over Iowa State, a Quad 1 opponent, boosts its Quad 1 record to 6-6, a crucial metric in the selection committee's evaluation. This result likely solidifies BYU's position as a contender for a 6 or 7 seed in the tournament, with the potential for a higher seed if it can continue to accumulate quality wins. Meanwhile, Iowa State's loss to a Quad 1 opponent drops its Quad 1 record to 6-4, a concerning trend that may raise questions about its seeding potential, potentially relegating it to a 2 or 3 seed at best. BYU's Cinderella season just got a whole lot more plausible.