BYU's basketball team secured a 95-71 victory over Idaho, improving to 4-0 this season. Key performances came from Fousseyni Traore and Richie Saunders, who both achieved career-high scores with 29 and 26 points, respectively. Despite the win, BYU's defense showed vulnerabilities, allowing Idaho to shoot 57.1% from three-point range. The Cougars also displayed streaky offensive play, highlighted by several scoring runs, but struggled with free throws, missing 11 attempts.
BYU suffered a close road loss to No. 6 Iowa State, despite leading by 14 points in the second half, as they went cold with their shooting and committed crucial turnovers. Richie Saunders led BYU with 20 points, but the team struggled from 3-point range and had several late-game possessions end in turnovers, ultimately falling 68-63.
BYU guard Richie Saunders sparks a second-half turnaround in a 87-75 win over TCU, contributing 11 points and demonstrating toughness on both ends of the court. The Cougars' depth and mental toughness were key factors in the victory, with reserves contributing 41 points. The win, following a victory over No. 7 Kansas, may propel BYU back into the AP Top 25 rankings. The team's next challenge is a road game against No. 9 Iowa State.
No. 22 BYU defeated West Virginia 86-73 with strong bench play from Richie Saunders and Trevin Knell, outscoring WVU's bench 27-16, as starting players Aly Khalifa and Noah Waterman were unavailable. The Cougars' upcoming game against No. 23 Oklahoma poses a challenge, but they are hopeful for a win to improve their rankings.
BYU basketball dominated Georgia State with an 86-54 victory, improving their record to 10-1. The Cougars never trailed in the game and had a strong performance from Richie Saunders, who scored a career-high 20 points off the bench. BYU's depth and strong play from multiple players have been key factors in their successful season.
