BYU Escapes Colorado in Overtime Thriller, But Richie Saunders’ Injury Casts a Shadow
Saturday night brought another wild chapter to BYU’s season, as the Cougars held off Colorado in a 90-86 overtime win. It was a gutsy performance in front of a raucous home crowd, but the celebration came with a heavy dose of concern. Just 45 seconds into the game, BYU’s veteran leader Richie Saunders went down with a scary injury - and suddenly, the Cougars’ long-term outlook feels a whole lot more uncertain.
Let’s dive into the three biggest storylines from a night that delivered both drama and doubt in Provo.
1. Richie Saunders Goes Down Early - and Everything Changes
You could feel the air leave the building when Saunders hit the floor.
Less than a minute into the game, the junior guard went up for a routine play but landed awkwardly on his right foot. He immediately reached for his right knee and stayed down for a while, clearly in pain.
Trainers rushed over. Silence swept through the Marriott Center.
Eventually, Saunders was helped to his feet and began the walk to the locker room - first with assistance, then on his own power. He flashed a double thumbs-up to the crowd, a reassuring gesture, but he never returned to the bench. His wife and parents were later seen heading back to the locker room, a sign that this wasn’t just a precautionary exit.
This is a massive moment for BYU. Saunders isn’t just the Cougars’ second-leading scorer - he’s their heartbeat.
He’s the guy who brings toughness, leadership, and experience to a team that’s been navigating the gauntlet of its first Big 12 season. Losing him for any stretch of time, let alone the rest of the season, would be a brutal blow.
Without Saunders, BYU’s margin for error shrinks. The Cougars will need to lean even harder on freshman phenoms AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III, both of whom have shown flashes of brilliance but now face an even heavier load. Depth has been a concern all season, and now it’ll be tested in the harshest way.
2. BYU Lets Colorado Hang Around - and Nearly Pays the Price
Make no mistake: this was a game BYU was expected to control. Colorado came in reeling, fresh off a 34-point loss to Texas Tech. But with Saunders sidelined, the Cougars never quite found their rhythm - and the Buffaloes took full advantage.
BYU never led by more than eight points all night and struggled to put Colorado away down the stretch. Up seven with under five minutes to play, the Cougars went cold.
They made just two of their final six shots in regulation and turned the ball over twice in crunch time. That opened the door for Colorado, which knocked down five of its last eight shots - including two clutch threes - to force overtime.
Turnovers were a major issue. BYU coughed it up 16 times, leading to 21 Colorado points. That’s the kind of stat that keeps coaches up at night, especially when you’re trying to close out a game you’re supposed to win.
Credit to BYU, though - they regrouped in overtime. Colorado’s offense finally ran out of gas, shooting just 2-of-10 in the extra period.
Aleksej Kostic buried a key three that gave BYU a lead they wouldn’t give back, and the Cougars held on from there. It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty.
3. A Tale of Two Shooting Nights for BYU
In a poetic twist on the night of Jimmer Fredette’s jersey retirement, BYU lit it up from deep - shooting a blistering 50% from three-point range. That’s their best mark against a Big 12 opponent this season and a fitting tribute to one of the greatest shooters college basketball has ever seen.
But while the Cougars were dialed in from long range, their finishing inside the arc told a different story. BYU hit just 45% of its two-point attempts and missed six layups - an ongoing issue that’s plagued them in recent weeks. For a team that moves the ball well and creates solid looks, the inability to convert around the rim is becoming a real concern.
AJ Dybantsa had a mixed night. He flirted with a triple-double - 20 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists - but also committed seven turnovers and shot just 6-of-20 from the field. The talent is undeniable, but the efficiency wasn’t there.
Rob Wright III, on the other hand, was electric. Coming off a career-high earlier in the week, the freshman guard one-upped himself with a 39-point explosion.
He added five rebounds and four assists, showing once again that the moment is never too big for him. If Saunders is out for any length of time, Wright’s ability to carry the scoring load becomes even more vital.
The Road Ahead
BYU now sits at 19-6 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play. That’s a strong position in a brutal conference, but the next few weeks will be telling. The Cougars are talented enough to make noise in March - but only if they stay healthy and clean up the late-game execution.
Everything now hinges on the status of Richie Saunders. If he’s able to return soon, BYU can still chase the high ceiling they’ve shown flashes of all season. If not, the Cougars will need to dig deep, rely on their young stars, and find a new identity on the fly.
The win over Colorado was gutsy. But it might’ve come at a steep price.