Richie Saunders delivered a career-defining performance with 17 points and 14 rebounds, propelling BYU basketball to a decisive 80-65 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night. The Cougars (17-8, 8-6 Big 12) halted the Wildcats’ six-game winning streak in a game marked by stifling defense and explosive momentum shifts.
BYU seized control early when freshman Egor Demin’s thunderous dunk ignited a 17-4 scoring run, establishing a 26-12 lead within nine minutes. Kansas State struggled offensively, shooting just 27% in the first half and missing 10 consecutive field goals. Key contributions came from Dallin Hall (16 points) and Fousseyni Traore (11 points), while Keba Keita dominated defensively with 11 rebounds and five blocks.
“Our energy from tip-off set the tone,” said BYU head coach Mark Pope postgame. “When we play connected, we’re tough to stop.”
Kansas State’s Dug McDaniel fought valiantly with 22 points, narrowing the deficit to 53-45 in the second half with an 18-4 surge. However, Saunders’ clutch layup halted the rally, ensuring BYU maintained a double-digit lead for the final 10 minutes.
Critical factors in the upset:
- BYU’s defense forced 14 turnovers and outrebounded Kansas State 48-36.
- Wildcats’ starting lineup combined for 11-of-41 shooting.
- Cougars scored 32 points in the paint, dominating inside play.
Kansas State (13-12, 7-7 Big 12) faces Utah on Monday, while BYU prepares for a high-stakes showdown against No. 17 Kansas on Tuesday. This win solidifies BYU’s NCAA Tournament credentials and positions them as a rising force in the Big 12.