Oklahoma State Upsets No. 16 BYU Amid Controversial Fan Chants in Stillwater
Oklahoma State pulled off a big-time upset on Wednesday night, knocking off No. 16 BYU in Stillwater with a 99-92 win that showcased the Cowboys’ offensive firepower-and a breakout performance from Anthony Roy, who dropped a season-high 30 points. But what should’ve been a night focused on basketball turned into something much more complicated, as chants from the Gallagher-Iba Arena crowd once again raised concerns about fan conduct in the Big 12.
A Statement Win Overshadowed
Let’s start with the game. Oklahoma State came out with energy and execution, feeding off the home crowd and riding Roy’s hot hand.
The Cowboys outpaced a BYU team that’s been reeling lately, handing the Cougars their third straight loss following setbacks against Arizona and Kansas. Despite a standout showing from freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, BYU couldn’t keep pace down the stretch.
Roy was the difference-maker. The junior guard was locked in from the jump, hitting shots from all over the floor and giving the Cowboys the kind of scoring punch they’ve been searching for. It was a gritty, high-scoring battle, and Oklahoma State earned every bit of the win.
But while the team was making noise on the court, some fans in the stands made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Offensive Chants Resurface in the Big 12
Throughout the game, chants of “F the Mormons” could be heard from sections of the Oklahoma State crowd-a disturbing echo of similar incidents that have plagued several Big 12 venues in recent years. The chant, directed at BYU’s affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has become an unfortunate and recurring issue whenever the Cougars hit the road.
After the game, BYU head coach Kevin Young didn’t shy away from addressing the moment.
“I’ve got four small kids at home. I’m a Mormon,” Young said.
“When I go home, they’re gonna ask me about it. Again.
There’s just too much hate in the world… Let’s use basketball to bring people together, not tear them apart.”
It was a raw, human moment from a coach who’s trying to lead a team while also navigating the very real emotions that come with being targeted for his faith. And it’s a reminder that college basketball, for all its passion and intensity, still has a responsibility to foster respect-on and off the court.
Big 12 Already Took Action Earlier This Season
This isn’t new territory for the Big 12. Back in September, the conference fined the University of Colorado $50,000 after similar chants broke out during a football game against BYU in Boulder. At the time, Commissioner Brett Yormark issued a firm statement:
“Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference,” Yormark said. “While we appreciate Colorado apologizing for the chants that occurred in the stands during Saturday’s game, the Big 12 maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”
That fine was accompanied by a public reprimand and a clear message: this kind of conduct violates the league’s Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, which explicitly prohibit discriminatory language.
Now, the spotlight is on the conference once again. Will the Big 12 take similar action following the events in Stillwater? That decision could come as soon as Thursday.
What Comes Next
For Oklahoma State, this was a signature win in a season that’s still taking shape. The Cowboys showed they can hang with ranked opponents and that they’ve got the pieces to make noise in the Big 12. For BYU, it’s another tough loss in a brutal stretch, but the Cougars still have the talent to turn things around-especially if Dybantsa continues to develop at this pace.
But the conversation around this game will extend far beyond the box score. The chants that echoed through Gallagher-Iba Arena weren’t just inappropriate-they were hurtful. And they’ve sparked a broader conversation about accountability, sportsmanship, and the kind of environment college athletics should be striving to create.
Basketball is supposed to bring people together. And while the action on the court delivered, the actions in the stands left a stain that the Big 12 can’t afford to ignore.