Saturday’s showdown between BYU and No. 19 Arizona lived up to the hype!
In a back and forth game that featured 11 ties and 20 lead changes, the game came down to the final play in what turned out to be a thrilling 96-95 road victory for BYU.
Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give the Cougars back-to-back ranked wins for the first time this season.
It was the Cougars’ fourth win in a row and pushes BYU into fifth place in the Big 12 standings with just four games left to go in the regular season. If the Cougars can sneak into the Top 4, they’ll get two consecutive byes and won’t have to play until the quarterfinals for the Big 12 tournament.
In addition to Saunders, Egor Demin added 13 points and eight assists, Mawot Mag chipped in with 11 points and Keba Keita had 10 points and six rebounds in the win.
BYU Basketball: Scott Van Pelt Says Cougars Should Be Ranked
Arizona (18-9, 12-4) got 27 points from Caleb Love, including two free throws with 13 seconds left to put the Wildcats up 95-94. He was one of five players in double figures for Arizona, which shot 54.2% and was 10-of-22 from 3-point range.
However, the offensive shoutout wasn’t enough as the Wildcats came up just short at home.
For BYU, the Cougars improved to 8-0 on the season when making at least 14 3-pointers. They were 10-of-34 against Arizona in the 85-74 home loss a few weeks ago.
BYU’s 96 points were also the most by any visiting team in a game at McKale Center since December 28, 2009.
Can you guess who that team was?
If you guessed BYU, you’re absolutely right.
Jimmer Fredette went off for 49 points as the Cougars cruised to a 99-69 victory inside the McKale Memorial Center.
Here’s all the reactions from the game:
Cardiac Cougs.#Big12MBB | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/xXBAi7Uhgm
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 23, 2025
BYU STEALS ONE ON THE ROAD 😱
The Cougars pull off the upset over No. 19 Arizona 👀 pic.twitter.com/sKT9rEvv5L
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 23, 2025
11 ties and 20 lead changes — what a game!
It's unfortunately that someone had to lose.
I expect BYU and Arizona to make a nice run in the NCAA Tournament. #GoCougs #BearDown #Big12MBB #CBB pic.twitter.com/j1583Qb9Gs
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) February 23, 2025
What a week for BYU. The Cougars blow out Kansas and then beat Arizona in Tucson. Kevin Young & Co. have arrived. Getting better and better.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 23, 2025
This is a damn NBA game. BYU and Arizona run some of the most modern offenses in college basketball
— Koby (Arizona Propagandist) (@___koby___) February 23, 2025
I just witnessed one of the best BYU basketball games ever
— Sammy Collier (@samuelcollier99) February 23, 2025
BYU vs Arizona was one of the best college basketball games i’ve seen in my life… what a game… BYU and Arizona were going band for band… unbelievable entertainment
— Matt (@moneyismatt) February 23, 2025
✅✅✅✅✅❌✅❌✅✅✅✅❌❌❌✅❌✅✅✅✅❌❌✅✅✅✅
— Justin Young (@JustinDYoung) February 23, 2025
This is a special group!
— Justin Young (@JustinDYoung) February 23, 2025
BYU BASKETBALL 📈
— Brandon Dunson (@BMDunson) February 23, 2025
BYU BASKETBALL ARE YOU KIDDING ME
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) February 23, 2025
The moment I saw Richie smirk after the Arizona guard said something to him at the free throw line I knew BYU was going to win! @BYUMBB
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) February 23, 2025
The moments when you just know…#GoCougs #BeatArizona #BeatUtah pic.twitter.com/rXX6wiMM2E
— Greg C (@gregcrabb) February 23, 2025
BYU 4-1 with him this year.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) February 23, 2025
Tony Padilla taketh, Tony Padilla giveth.
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) February 23, 2025
Huge win for BYU.
Non-terrible loss for Arizona.
Abominable finish for Big 12 officials.— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) February 23, 2025
Easy win. Never a doubt.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) February 23, 2025
Richie Saunders is a stud, man. Just an absolute hooper with a knack for getting buckets
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) February 23, 2025
Richie!!!!
Road wins are so hard to come by! This is a big one!! pic.twitter.com/WIb6ZV1QeY
— Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) February 23, 2025
Great basketball game. Cougs are heating up 🔥 #GoCougs 🏀
— Kenneth Cox (@KennyCoxKC) February 23, 2025
Last season, BYU's long Big 12 win streak was two games.
BYU has won four consecutive league games for a second time this season.
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) February 23, 2025
BYU’s 137.6 offensive efficiency is the highest Arizona has allowed this season.
This, after also setting the season high 127.2 allowed by Kansas.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) February 23, 2025
I don’t have a rooting interest here. The officials were certainly not perfect but an intelligent @BYUMBB basketball fan would’ve said, “Fran, you’re probably right about that one.” No disrespect intended. 😉🏀
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) February 23, 2025
Kevin Young is making a strong case for Big 12 Coach of the Year.
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannTV) February 23, 2025
Kanon Catchings was so big tonight. His role has been so up and down but the dude keeps producing when his number is called.
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) February 23, 2025
How about them Cougs?!?! 🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) February 23, 2025
BYU played 2 top 10 KenPom defenses this week and scored 187 points. Kevin Young.
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) February 23, 2025
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BYU Basketball: Scott Van Pelt Says Cougars Should Be Ranked
