BYU basketball is experiencing a remarkable season as they prepare to face Abilene Christian for the first time at the Marriott Center. The team recently celebrated a convincing 93-57 victory over Pacific, improving their record to 17-3 under the guidance of second-year head coach Kevin Young.
Historic Achievements
This win marks BYU’s impressive statistics when ranked in the Top 25. They have secured a 12-2 record when holding the No. 10 spot in the AP Poll. Furthermore, their current ranking in the Top 10 is the 31st occurrence in program history, and they are enjoying a seven-week streak this season, the second-longest in their history.
Player Performance: AJ Dybantsa
Freshman AJ Dybantsa has made headlines as a standout player, achieving a unique milestone. He is the only NCAA Division I men’s basketball player in the past 30 years to record a four-game stretch with over 90 points, more than 30 rebounds, over 20 assists, and a shooting percentage of 60% or better on more than 60 field goal attempts, all while committing zero fouls.
- Dybantsa’s four-game scoring streak includes six 20-point games.
- He has become the first Cougar since Tyler Haws in January 2015 to score 20 or more points in four consecutive games.
- His six games with 20 points are the fifth-most by a freshman in BYU history.
- He maintains a shooting percentage of 55.6%, the fourth-best for a freshman at BYU.
Richie Saunders: Key Contributor
Senior Richie Saunders has been a vital part of the team’s offense. He scored a team-high 24 points in the match against Pacific, marking his 12th consecutive game scoring in double figures at home. During this stretch, BYU has an impressive 11-1 record.
- He has averaged 18.0 points per game over this period.
- Saunders has shooting percentages of 54.1% from the field and 47.5% from three-point range.
- His upcoming matchup against Abilene Christian sees him averaging 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
As BYU prepares for this historic matchup with Abilene Christian, the expectations continue to build. The combination of Dybantsa’s exceptional form and Saunders’ consistent scoring sets the stage for an exciting game at the Marriott Center.
