After securing back-to-back home wins against top-ranked teams, Iowa State aimed for a third consecutive victory over ranked opponents. However, the Cyclones fell short, losing 79-69 to BYU on Saturday night.
This win marked BYU's best of the season and their first victory over a Kenpom top-30 team since defeating Villanova in their season opener. AJ Dybantsa, a top NBA Draft prospect, delivered a standout performance with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
Iowa State saw strong performances from Jamarion Batemon, Tamin Lipsey, and Joshua Jefferson, who all scored in double figures. Despite this, the Cyclones struggled with turnovers and allowed BYU to dominate in rebounding and second-chance points.
The Cyclones have now lost four out of five games against BYU since the Cougars joined the conference in the 2023-24 season. Iowa State joined a list of top-10 teams that lost on Saturday, including No.
1 Michigan, No. 2 Houston, No.
8 Kansas, and Illinois.
DYBANTSA DOMINATES
AJ Dybantsa set the tone early for BYU. While Darryn Peterson is favored to be the top NBA Draft pick, Dybantsa showcased his own talents throughout the game.
He was involved in 15 of BYU's first 20 points, displaying his versatility with impressive assists and scoring at the rim. By halftime, Dybantsa had 14 points and four assists, leading BYU to a 39-30 advantage.
Defensively, Dybantsa was equally impactful. His size and athleticism made it difficult for Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic to find his rhythm. In the second half, Dybantsa continued to shine, helping BYU extend their lead with crucial plays and assists.
BYU TAKES CONTROL
The game initially promised a classic Iowa State-BYU showdown, but BYU's late first-half surge changed the narrative. A 13-3 run, including an 11-0 burst, gave the Cougars a 10-point lead by halftime. Iowa State's scoring droughts and turnovers were costly, contributing to BYU's first-half dominance.
IOWA STATE'S BACKCOURT EFFORTS
In the second half, Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey and Jamarion Batemon stepped up, scoring 15 of the team's first 21 points. Batemon's three-pointer was crucial, especially with Momcilovic facing foul trouble. Lipsey added a key three-pointer to narrow the gap, but BYU responded with a decisive 13-3 run to seal the victory.
Kennard Davis, a Southern Illinois transfer, contributed significantly with three three-pointers, helping BYU secure the win. Despite Iowa State's efforts, BYU's balanced attack and Dybantsa's brilliance proved too much to overcome.