Provo, United States
News Desk | Sports Coverage
PROVO, Utah — The No. 11 Brigham Young University BYU Basketball team continued its standout 2025-26 season Wednesday night, rallying from a halftime deficit to defeat the TCU Horned Frogs 76-70 at the Marriott Center and improve to 16-1 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 Conference play, according to game reports.
Senior guard Richie Saunders and freshman forward AJ Dybantsa paced the Cougars, with Dybantsa scoring 25 points and Saunders adding 18 as BYU overcame an early 6-point deficit in the second half. The victory marked the team’s 13th consecutive win, maintaining one of the best records in Division I men’s BYU Basketball this season.
Coach Kevin Young acknowledged the resilience of his squad after the latest win. BYU’s performance follows a road victory over Utah last week, where Saunders led the team with 24 points and 14 rebounds, reinforcing the Cougars’ position atop the Big 12 standings.
Richie Saunders’ individual excellence has been recognized both nationally and within the conference. He was recently named the USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week after averaging 27.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in back-to-back wins, the USBWA announced Tuesday.
Despite their strong record and high-ranking status, BYU Basketball placement in the Associated Press Top 25 drew scrutiny from head coach Young earlier this week after the Cougars dropped two spots to No. 11 following the Utah win. Young described the slide as surprising given BYU’s performance.
Off the court, the program is also recognizing its history. BYU announced it will retire the No. 32 jersey of alumnus Jimmer Fredette during a Feb. 14 home game against Colorado, honoring one of the most celebrated players in school history.
The Cougars’ breakout season has centered around balanced contributions from Dybantsa, Saunders and senior Robert Wright III, with BYU’s home dominance and efficient rebounding helping secure key wins. The team’s current streak represents its best start in Big 12 play in more than a decade.
BYU’s next scheduled game is a challenging road matchup at No. 15 Texas Tech on Saturday. The Cougars aim to maintain their winning run while solidifying seeding implications for postseason conference and NCAA Tournament play.
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