Analysis: BYU cools off Kansas State with major contributions from its reserves, brilliant first half

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Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) dunks the ball during a game between BYU and the Kansas State Wildcats at the Marriott Center on the campus of BYU in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

It took some brilliant defensive basketball in the first half, 41 points from BYU’s bench players and the first double-double in Richie Saunders’ stellar career, but Kansas State’s impressive winning streak, that included wins over Big 12 powers Kansas, Iowa State and Arizona, has finally been stopped.

The Cougars put together arguably their best all-around first half of the season and held on from there to take a 80-65 win over the Wildcats in front of 17,228 at the Marriott Center Saturday.

“It was awesome. … It was really just a fun half to play in,” said Saunders, who had 17 points and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes. “It showed what we can do when we play together.”

After the Cougars (17-8, 8-6) took a 40-22 lead into the break, the second half wasn’t nearly as pretty from their perspective, but it was rewarding nevertheless as coach Kevin Young’s team picked up a Quad 2 victory and got two games above .500 in league play with six contests remaining.

In that second half, it was fitting that a reserve — former starting point guard Dallin Hall — led the way. He scored 14 of his 16 points in the final 20 minutes, with three assists, three rebounds and just one turnover in 23 minutes.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) dribbles the ball down the court against Kansas State Wildcats guard Dug McDaniel (0) during a game between BYU and the Kansas State Wildcats at the Marriott Center on the campus of BYU in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dunks the ball during a game between BYU and the Kansas State Wildcats at the Marriott Center on the campus of BYU in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/analysis-byu-cools-off-kansas-063104802.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2025-02-16 06:31:00

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