URGENT UPDATE: The BYU Cougars have claimed their sixth consecutive victory, demolishing the UC Riverside Highlanders 100-53 in a commanding performance on Saturday night in Provo, Utah. Star player AJ Dybantsa led the charge with an impressive 26 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess.
In this decisive matchup, the Cougars (now 9-1) exhibited dominant play both offensively and defensively. The team capitalized on 18 turnovers from UC Riverside, converting them into 20 points. Additionally, BYU outscored the Highlanders 29-6 in fastbreak opportunities and 56-24 in the paint, underscoring their aggressive style of play.
Richie Saunders provided strong support, contributing 19 points and rebounding from a subpar performance earlier this week against Clemson. His revitalized effort included scoring 15 points in the first half alone. Freshman guard Alexsej Kostic also shone brightly, hitting five 3-pointers and achieving a career-high of 15 points, a remarkable improvement after averaging just 13 points in his first six games.
The Cougars showcased their offensive efficiency throughout the game, shooting an impressive 59% from the field. They sparked a phenomenal run, scoring on 13 consecutive possessions to ignite a 30-5 surge that extended their lead to 83-42 with just over nine minutes remaining.
As for UC Riverside, Andrew Henderson led the team with 14 points, while BJ Kolly added 12 points. Despite their efforts, the Highlanders (now 5-6) struggled to contain BYU’s relentless offense.
Looking ahead, UC Riverside will host Stanton on December 5, 2023, while BYU prepares to take on Pacific, also on December 5, 2023. This thrilling victory not only boosts BYU’s momentum but also sets the stage for continued excitement in the upcoming games.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses!
