In a hard-fought battle down in Tucson, Arizona's bench stepped up in a big way to help the No. 4 Wildcats snap a two-game losing streak with a 75-68 victory over BYU. Missing key starters, including Arizona's Koa Peat and BYU's Richie Saunders, it was Anthony Dell'Orso who stole the spotlight.
Dell'Orso put on a show, scoring a season-high 22 points. Ivan Kharchenkov contributed significantly as well, adding 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Jaden Bradley was instrumental, dishing out 10 assists alongside his 12 points, and Brayden Burries chipped in with 11 points. The Wildcats' bench outperformed BYU's reserves 26-6, a decisive factor in the game.
For BYU, AJ Dybantsa was nothing short of spectacular. He poured in a game-high 35 points, along with seven rebounds and two assists.
His performance set a new freshman scoring record for BYU, surpassing the legendary Danny Ainge's mark from the 1977-78 season. Robert Wright III also made his presence felt with 13 points, while Kennard Davis Jr. added 10 points to the Cougars' effort.
Despite Dybantsa's heroics, BYU struggled to find depth in their rotation, especially with Saunders sidelined due to a season-ending ACL injury. Coach Kevin Young faced a tough challenge in adapting to the loss.
Dell'Orso's impact was immediate, as he scored 15 points off the bench in the first half, including three crucial 3-pointers. His buzzer-beater from beyond the arc gave Arizona a 42-35 lead at halftime. The Wildcats maintained their momentum in the second half, shooting an impressive 57% from the field.
Dybantsa tried to rally the Cougars, scoring 19 points in the second half and hitting a key 3-pointer to cut the deficit to seven with two minutes left. Davis fueled a late 7-0 run that brought BYU within five points. However, Dell'Orso sealed the deal for Arizona with an emphatic dunk following a turnover, securing the Wildcats' first win in the series in five attempts.
This game highlighted the importance of bench depth and showcased some standout individual performances. As both teams continue their Big 12 campaigns, the lessons learned here will undoubtedly shape their strategies moving forward.