In a thrilling matchup on December 19, 2025, the No. 10 ranked BYU Cougars triumphed over Abilene Christian with an impressive score of 85-67, and the star of the night was none other than AJ Dybantsa. This freshman sensation delivered a career-best performance, scoring 35 points—the highest of his season—while shooting an outstanding 75% from the field (9 for 12) and sinking 17 of his 20 attempts from the free-throw line. But there’s more to Dybantsa’s game than just scoring; he also contributed 6 rebounds and 4 assists, showcasing his all-around talent.
Richie Saunders also played a crucial role in BYU’s victory, adding 21 points to the scoreboard as the Cougars celebrated their eighth consecutive win, improving their record to 11-1. As a team, BYU demonstrated remarkable shooting accuracy, finishing the game with a 60% shooting percentage and converting nearly three-quarters of their free throws, going 29 for 40.
On the opposing side, Cbo Newton led Abilene Christian with 23 points. Despite their efforts, the Wildcats, now 7-5, found themselves in a tough spot, suffering their second consecutive defeat against a Big 12 opponent, even though they managed to force BYU into 18 turnovers throughout the match.
The game had its ups and downs for BYU, especially in the first half when they found themselves trailing for much of the time. However, after halftime, Dybantsa took charge, starting the third quarter with five back-to-back baskets, including a spectacular dunk following a steal that pushed BYU ahead 54-42.
Although the Wildcats managed to narrow the gap to 54-52 with a quick basket from Newton that capped a 10-0 run, they would not get any closer. BYU then tightened their defense, holding Abilene Christian scoreless for nearly five minutes while scoring five consecutive baskets, which helped them establish a commanding lead of 67-52 with just 7:34 remaining in the game.
Notably, BYU played without Keba Keita, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed illness. In his absence, Khadim Mboup made his first career start for the Cougars, impressively grabbing 10 rebounds within just 20 minutes of playtime. However, BYU's offense struggled initially, and they accrued 12 turnovers by halftime before finally gaining momentum.
The turning point came when Robert Wright III hit a crucial corner three-pointer, marking BYU’s first lead at 19-17. Shortly before halftime, Dybantsa ignited a 7-0 run, scoring two baskets to extend the Cougars' lead to 40-33 as the first half drew to a close.
Looking ahead, Abilene Christian will travel to face Texas Southern on Monday, while BYU will host Eastern Washington on the same day.
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