PROVO, Utah — The BYU Cougars showcased an impressive performance on Wednesday evening, defeating Arizona State 104-76, thanks to a stellar effort from Richie Saunders, AJ Dybantsa, and Robert Wright III, who collectively tallied 81 points. The game took place at the Marriott Center, where BYU’s offense thrived, shooting 57.4 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Richie Saunders led the charge with a career-high 31 points, shooting an impressive 10-of-13 overall, including 6-of-8 from three-point range, and perfect from the free-throw line. In addition to his scoring prowess, Saunders contributed eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His performance was highlighted by a strong start that set the tone for the game, as noted by head coach Kevin Young, who commended Saunders for his focus and team-oriented play.
Sophomore Robert Wright III also achieved a personal best, scoring 27 points while adding four rebounds and three assists. He shot 9-of-15 from the field, making all six of his free throws, demonstrating his offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa continued his scoring streak with 23 points, marking the eighth consecutive game where he has scored 20 or more points, tying for the eighth-longest such streak in BYU history. He complemented his scoring by recording seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.
The first half saw both teams come out shooting well, quickly tying the score at three before the Cougars ignited a 13-0 run, thanks to three-pointers from Saunders and Wright, as well as a series of jumpers from Dybantsa. The defensive efforts, including multiple blocks, helped maintain BYU’s momentum as they went into halftime leading 45-30.
In the second half, Dybantsa continued to contribute, scoring an and-one layup to kick off a 10-5 run for the Cougars, extending their lead significantly. BYU’s strong teamwork and aggressive offense led to several scoring runs, further widening the gap. As the game progressed, the Cougars’ defense helped stifle any comeback attempts from the Sun Devils, leading to a decisive victory.
Next, the Cougars will face their in-state rival, Utah, at the Huntsman Center on Saturday, January 10, at 8:00 p.m. MST, with the game available for streaming on ESPN. This matchup promises to be an exciting challenge for BYU, as they look to build upon their momentum from this impressive win.