After a close game in Salt Lake City just a few weeks ago, the BYU Cougars hosted the Utah Utes for the rivalry’s second matchup of the season.
In the first matchup, BYU barely escaped the Utes in Salt Lake City with the 89-84 win. Saturday’s game, however, was completely different.
The Utes were able to hold close to the Cougars for most of the game and shot 62% from three-point range, but it wasn’t enough to stop AJ Dybansta, who exploded for 43 points on 15-24 shooting to lead the Cougars to the 91-78 victory, securing their third straight win over the Utes.
Dybansta’s night was historic, breaking several records.
Dybansta set a BYU freshman single game scoring record, as well as freshman single game field goal makes and attempts. And, after only 19 games, he broke the freshman record for 30-point performances in a season. Dybansta also has 448 total points on the year, which puts him fourth on the freshman scoring list.
“I mean, it feels good to break any record, if it was Danny or not,” Dybansta said in the post-game press conference. “I just thank my teammates for just giving me the ball in the right spots. God was on my side; I was hitting shots.”
After the game, Dybansta talked a bit about the historic outing and was asked if the 43 points had a more significant meaning playing against a rival.
“I don’t know too much about the rivalry, like I’m from Boston,” Dybansta said. “But people were just dragging it the whole time talking about ‘Utah this, Utah that.’ So, I was like, ‘I guess I’ll go off for ya’ll.’”
BYU head coach Kevin Young has coached in the NBA and has coached future hall of famers, but Dybansta’s 43 points had him awestruck.
“It was impressive, you know. While he was doing it, in my mind I was like, ‘Man, this is a special player,’” Young said. “I’ve said it a lot, but I think he’s the hands down clear-cut number one pick in the NBA draft upcoming, and that was on full display tonight. He was doing it every which way.”
BYU is riding high after the win, and the newest AP Top 25 poll kept the Cougs in the number 13 spot. But their biggest challenge of the season comes tonight. The Cougars will host the number 1 team in the nation, straight from the Big 12 Conference: the undefeated Arizona Wildcats led by freshman guard Koa Pete.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but this is what you live for,” Dybansta said. “This is why I came to the Big 12, to play teams like this.”
Tip-off is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at the Marriot Center in Provo.