Imagine a basketball game so intense, it takes overtime to decide the winner—and that’s exactly what happened when No. 22 BYU faced off against Colorado in a heart-stopping showdown. But here’s where it gets controversial: BYU’s victory wasn’t just about the final score; it was about resilience, unexpected heroes, and a performance that left fans questioning whether they’d just witnessed the birth of a new legend. Let’s dive in.
In a thrilling Valentine’s Day matinee in Provo, Utah, BYU clawed their way to a 90-86 overtime win over Colorado, but not without drama. The Cougars, ranked 22nd, were forced to rally without star player Richie Saunders, who exited the game with an injury in the opening minute. And this is the part most people miss: while Saunders’ absence could have spelled disaster, it instead set the stage for Rob Wright III to deliver a career-defining performance.
Wright, channeling his inner Jimmer Fredette (whose jersey retirement ceremony had just taken place), exploded for a career-high 39 points—eclipsing his previous record of 30 set earlier in the week against Baylor. His flawless 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range and 12-of-16 field goal accuracy were nothing short of spectacular. Bold claim: Was this Wright’s coming-out party as BYU’s next great guard? The stats certainly suggest so.
But the game wasn’t just about Wright. AJ Dybantsa chipped in 20 points, though his 6-of-20 shooting efficiency left room for improvement. Meanwhile, Colorado’s Barrington Hargress kept the Buffs within striking distance with clutch shots, proving why this matchup was a nail-biter until the very end.
The first half saw BYU dominate from beyond the arc, hitting 7-of-11 three-pointers despite Saunders’ early exit. Tyler Mrus, thrust into unexpected playing time, seized the moment with two key threes, including one after a crafty pump fake. Yet, Colorado refused to fold, opening the second half with a 13-2 run that momentarily silenced the Marriott Center.
Controversial moment: A technical foul and a flagrant foul on Colorado’s Josiah Sanders for striking Wright in the face swung momentum back to BYU, gifting them four crucial points. From there, the Cougars’ offense ignited, with Kennard Davis and Aleksej Kostic making pivotal plays to regain control.
As regulation wound down, BYU’s 13 turnovers—leading to 19 Colorado points—kept the game tied at 78. In overtime, Wright and Davis led the charge, while Colorado’s 0-for-7 three-point shooting sealed their fate. Kostic’s late triple with 1:21 left cemented BYU’s victory, improving their record to 19-6 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play.
Thought-provoking question: With Wright’s breakout performance and Saunders’ injury, is BYU’s future brighter than ever, or will they struggle to maintain consistency without their star player? Let us know in the comments.
For more in-depth coverage, follow Mitch Harper, BYU Insider for KSLsports.com, on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram (@Mitch_Harper). Don’t miss his daily Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday on KSL NewsRadio. And if you’re a die-hard BYU fan, download the KSL Sports app to stay updated wherever you go.
