Texas Tech Turns the Tables on BYU With Late-Game Surge in Big 12 Clash
With just under 10 minutes to play in Saturday night’s Big 12 battle, BYU looked poised to flip the script on a series that’s been all Texas Tech in recent years. Richie Saunders had just drilled a three-pointer to give the Cougars a 61-52 lead, and for a moment, the only sound in United Supermarkets Arena came from the pockets of BYU fans scattered among the 15,000 in attendance.
But then came the storm.
Texas Tech responded with a furious 32-11 run to close out the game, flipping a nine-point deficit into a commanding 84-71 victory. That final stretch wasn’t just a comeback - it was a statement. And it might have long-term implications for both teams as Big 12 play heats up.
Let’s break it down.
BYU’s Streaks Snapped, Momentum Halted
Saturday’s loss didn’t just sting because of the final score. It also marked the end of several impressive runs for Kevin Young’s squad.
Gone is BYU’s 13-game overall winning streak. Their 12-game Big 12 regular-season streak?
Also snapped. And the Cougars’ six-game road win streak?
That too, history.
BYU had been playing with the confidence of a top-10 team, and for much of the game, they looked the part. Rob Wright was electric, pouring in a career-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The Cougars were executing, matching up well, and holding their own in a hostile environment.
Then came the turning point.
A Sequence That Shifted the Game
Ironically, the unraveling began with a defensive highlight. After Saunders swatted a Texas Tech three-point attempt, the Cougars looked like they were about to seize full control. But the Red Raiders hustled for two offensive rebounds on the possession, and LeJuan Watts - often overshadowed by JT Toppin and Christian Anderson - buried a corner three that ended a 2:33 scoring drought.
That shot didn’t just trim the lead - it ignited the Red Raiders.
Watts finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, and while he may not be the headline name on this Texas Tech roster, he was the one who broke BYU’s back. His energy and shot-making down the stretch were critical, especially on a night when Texas Tech didn’t get a single point from its bench.
That’s right - zero bench points. But it didn’t matter.
Toppin and Anderson went the full 40 minutes. Watts logged over 35.
Donovan Atwell and Jaylen Petty each played more than 36. The starters carried the load, and they did it with purpose.
Physicality, Defense, and Clutch Buckets
Much of Texas Tech’s late-game success came from their ability to crank up the physicality - especially on BYU star AJ Dybantsa. Atwell drew the assignment and made life difficult for the freshman phenom, who finished with a season-low 13 points. Officials let the game get physical, and the Red Raiders took full advantage, bumping Dybantsa off his spots and contesting everything.
After Watts’ momentum-shifting three, Dybantsa missed a tough leaner, and the Cougars started to unravel. Toppin followed with a three-point play and then banked in a three on the next possession. Wright was whistled for a rare offensive foul, and suddenly BYU was in a five-minute scoring drought they couldn’t afford.
By the time Wright broke the silence with a bucket to cut the deficit to 74-67, the damage was done.
BYU Coach Kevin Young: “They Out-Played Us”
To his credit, Kevin Young didn’t make excuses after the loss. He acknowledged the physicality, but he didn’t blame the officials.
He didn’t point fingers. Instead, he kept it simple:
“Let me be very clear. They out-played us. They out-coached us.”
Young pointed to shot-making - or the lack thereof - as the key difference.
“This game is about making shots at the end of the day, and obviously you got to stop them from making shots. They put a lot of stress on you, because they have talent.
They’re one of the best offensive teams, I think, in the country, because of how much shooting they have, with two dynamic players. And then on the flip side, we went cold, and that happens in games.”
It was a fair assessment. Texas Tech hit big shots when it mattered. BYU didn’t.
Looking Ahead: Rivalry Week and Rankings Watch
The Cougars now turn their attention to a rivalry rematch with Utah - a team that just picked up its first Big 12 win by beating TCU at home. Utah will face Kansas State on Tuesday, while BYU gets a little extra time to regroup before the Utes come to town.
Dybantsa’s streak of 10 straight games with 20 or more points came to an end, but Young isn’t worried.
“AJ is a smart young man. He’ll learn from this, and he’ll be better next time out.”
As for the rankings? BYU was hoping a road win over a top-15 team would vault them back into the top 10.
Instead, they’re likely to slide. As of Sunday, they dropped from No. 13 to No. 15 in KenPom and from No. 8 to No. 11 in the NET rankings.
They’re now 4-2 in Quad 1 games - still a strong resume, but the margin for error is getting thinner.
Injury Watch: Frontcourt Depth Tested
BYU got Abdullah “Bido” Ahmed back in the lineup after he missed the TCU game with a shoulder issue. He gave them 16 minutes off the bench, grabbing six rebounds and blocking a shot.
But the frontcourt took another hit when Khadim Mboup exited in the second half with an injury and didn’t return. Young said postgame that he didn’t yet know the extent of Mboup’s injury - something to monitor as BYU prepares for a physical Utah squad.
Final Word
Texas Tech showed why they’re a force in the Big 12 - tough, experienced, and unafraid of the moment. They’ve now won all four Big 12 matchups against BYU since the Cougars joined the conference, and Saturday’s win might’ve been the most impressive yet.
For BYU, it’s a reminder that life in the Big 12 doesn’t come with many breathers. The Cougars have the talent.
They’ve got the coaching. But on nights when the shots don’t fall and the physicality ramps up, they’ll need to find new ways to respond.
Saturday night, Texas Tech had the answers. BYU will be looking for theirs next time out.