AJ Dybantsa Shines as BYU Falls Short Against Arizona
In a thrilling showdown at the McKale Center, AJ Dybantsa etched his name into the record books, even as BYU's late rally fell short against No. 4 Arizona, ending in a 75-68 defeat.
Trailing by 16 with just over five minutes left, BYU's Kennard Davis Jr. and Dybantsa sparked a spirited comeback. An 8-0 run was quickly followed by a 7-0 surge, bringing the Cougars tantalizingly close.
Dybantsa was the standout, leading all scorers with 35 points. His performance not only marked his sixth career 30-point game but also shattered Danny Ainge’s long-standing freshman scoring record.
Shooting 13-of-28 from the field, Dybantsa set another freshman record for the most field-goal attempts in a season. He also contributed seven rebounds, two assists, and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 7-of-8.
Robert Wright III and Davis Jr. were pivotal, combining for 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. For Davis Jr., it was his seventh double-digit performance of the season.
First Half Highlights
The Wildcats struck first with a Brayden Burries 3-pointer, but Wright III and Dybantsa quickly countered with a 6-1 run. After a flurry of action, BYU found themselves ahead 10-8 at the first media timeout.
Arizona responded with a quick jumper, but BYU's bench stepped up. Aleksej Kostic hit a jumper, and Khadim Mboup's steal and dunk kept the Cougars in front. However, turnovers and fouls allowed Arizona to go on an eight-point run.
Wright III's 3-pointer tied the game at 21, but Arizona's sharp shooting from deep gave them a slight edge. Dybantsa's late free throws kept BYU within striking distance, but Anthony Dell’Orso's buzzer-beater 3-pointer left the Wildcats up 42-35 at halftime.
Second Half Action
The second half began with both teams exchanging baskets, but Arizona's 7-2 run extended their lead to 53-43. Dybantsa broke BYU's scoring drought with a layup, yet Arizona pushed their advantage to 15 points.
Turnovers plagued both sides, but Dell’Orso's fourth 3-pointer kept Arizona ahead. Dybantsa hit a crucial 3-pointer, but Arizona's response maintained their 16-point cushion.
Wright's defensive rebound led to a Davis Jr. 3-pointer, narrowing the gap to 11. Despite Davis Jr. sinking three free throws, Arizona's quick four-point burst forced a BYU timeout.
In the final moments, Keita's tip-in and Dybantsa's 3-pointer brought BYU within seven. Davis Jr. added a layup after a steal, but fouls and turnovers ultimately halted BYU's comeback bid, sealing a 75-68 loss.
While the result wasn't in BYU's favor, Dybantsa's record-setting night was a silver lining, showcasing the freshman's immense talent and potential for the future.