BYU (13-6) dominated Cincinnati (12-7) Saturday night as the Cougars rolled to a 80-52 victory inside the Marriott Center in front of 17,483 fans.
The win also gave BYU its first two-game Big 12 winning streak of the season as the Cougars improved to 4-4 in Big 12 play.
After a tight contest in the first half, the Cougars started “cooking with gas” as the kids would say as the Cougars couldn’t miss en route to the 28-point victory.
In the second half, the Cougars shot a remarkable 74%, making it the highest shooting percentage of the entire season. It broke Tuesday’s mark of 68% in the win over Colorado. The Cougars continue to play their best offensive basketball of the season and it comes at the perfect time as the team heads into one of the toughest parts of the schedule with games against Baylor and Arizona on deck.
Big 12 Football: Deep Dive Into Coaches’ Poll And Conference Breakdown
BYU’s Richie Saunders led with the way as the junior had a game-high 21 points. A big chunk of that came from beyond the arc as Saunders made 5-of-6 from downtown.
Egor Demin finished with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds and Dawson Baker added 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Cincinnati was led by Simas Lukosius who had a team-high 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting. The rest of the Bearcats players made 18 of 50 (36%) from the field.
With the win and 28-point victory, the average margin of victory in BYU’s four conference wins is now up to 20 points. Last season, the largest margin of victory in Big 12 play was 15 points.
BYU finished the night going 15-of-24 from 3-point range, marking the first time the Cougars have shot over 60% from behind the arc since Dec. 18, 2021 against Weber State. The 15 made 3-pointers also tied for the 10th most in a single game in program history.
Here’s a look at all the reactions:
wins at home >>>> pic.twitter.com/pvvCcRtDBk
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 26, 2025
we love a good lob 😮💨
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/yHF953GZbx
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 26, 2025
After tonight, BYU has now won:
15 consecutive games holding opponents under 60 pts
23 consecutive games shooting 50%+
41 consecutive games lead with 5:00 left in regulationCougs are now this season:
10-1 with 10 or more 3s
10-1 scoring 80+ points
10-0 shooting 50% or better— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) January 26, 2025
The BYU basketball team that’s playing tonight is the team that we all expected all season long
— Cam (@cthuey1) January 26, 2025
BYU basketball is starting to figure it out. If they beat Baylor Tuesday watch out.
— Billy Mac (@billypenn2380) January 26, 2025
It took him longer then expected to adjust to the minutiae of the American game. First year head coach with a roster that largely hadn’t played together. Also, probably came back too early from the injury
But with all of that now in the rear view mirror,
Egor Demin ABSOLUTELY… pic.twitter.com/AyQJpCItg2
— Calvy J (@CJRealHoops1) January 26, 2025
BYU basketball: pic.twitter.com/cJu2QZ03JB
— Andrew Peterson (@Apetey222) January 26, 2025
Where would this BYU basketball team be without Richie Saunders?
Mercy
— Sang Kim (@5lbtrout) January 26, 2025
RICHIE WITH HIS 5TH THREE OF THE NIGHT!!
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/bNcV5M9Hwj
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 26, 2025
✅✅✅✅✅❌✅❌✅✅✅✅❌❌❌✅❌✅✅
— Justin Young (@JustinDYoung) January 26, 2025
Man, what a day to be inside and pack the Marriott Center. Honestly, it feels like an all conference night from the world famous @byuROC.
— Justin Young (@JustinDYoung) January 25, 2025
Big 12 Football: Deep Dive Into Coaches’ Poll And Conference Breakdown
BYU, best basketball fans in America. @BYUCougars @BYUMBB @byuROC @hozzler pic.twitter.com/t6AY7QqMOm
— Ryan Millsap (@RCMillsap) January 26, 2025
Richie: 21 pts, 5 rebs, 5/7 from 3
Egor: 15 pts, 5 rebs, 7 asts, 3/5 from 3
Kanon: 9 pts, 3/4 from 3
Dawson: 11 pts
Trev: 8 pts, 2/5 from 3Awesome performances from Richie and Egor especially, but incredible pumped about Kanon’s shooting and defensive impact. Great W #GoCougs
— Keegs (@kwjazzman) January 26, 2025
WHAT A SHOT!!! Crawford at the buzzer to seal the (checks notes)…28 point BYU win over Cincinnati! 🤣 #GoCougs #BYUhoops
— Jonathan Hokanson (@JonathanHok) January 26, 2025
Egor Demin tonight:
15 pts
7 assists
5 reboundsHave a night young man! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/A7dY59so83
— Jared 🤙 #GoCougs (@jrossean) January 26, 2025
This is probably the best defensive effort I’ve seen from this BYU team this year. #BYUBasketball #GoCougars
— Sweeny Todd⛳️🏀🏈⚾️⛳️🦈 (@ToddBGolf) January 26, 2025
Feeling very encouraged about Kanon after this game. #BYUBasketball
— Aaron Bagley (@aaronbag1ey) January 26, 2025
She hit the half court shot for $10K 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/v2XBONi5hm
— The ROC (@byuROC) January 26, 2025
In Big12 conference games only, BYU's offense is
5th – offensive efficiency
1st – 3pt% (37.3%)
1st – 2pt% (56.5%)
1st – 3PA/FGA (47.4%)
13th – FT% (67.4%)
13th – TO% (19.6%)— CougarStats (@CougarStats) January 26, 2025
Welcome Home Chamberlain!! pic.twitter.com/8CyFNTMFNQ
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 26, 2025
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Big 12 Football: Deep Dive Into Coaches’ Poll And Conference Breakdown
