Oklahoma State achieved a crucial victory by defeating No. 16 BYU 99-92 on Wednesday night, significantly enhancing their prospects for the NCAA Tournament. This win came despite a remarkable performance from Cougars” freshman star AJ Dybantsa, who scored 36 points. The Cowboys, now 16-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big 12, are set to face No. 1 Arizona this Saturday. Following the game, fans stormed the court at Gallagher-Iba Arena, celebrating a victory that could have substantial implications come Selection Sunday.
Oklahoma State initially built a lead of 15 points in the first half, but a spirited comeback led by Dybantsa tied the game at 41 by halftime. The Cougars continued their momentum into the second half, establishing a five-point lead early on. However, the Cowboys regained control as Anthony Roy stepped up with 30 points, following a strong 26-point outing in the previous game against Utah. Roy”s contributions were pivotal, particularly during a crucial 10-3 run late in the game, allowing Oklahoma State to maintain a slight edge over BYU.
Dybantsa”s shooting performance was impressive, hitting 13 of 20 attempts, yet it was not enough to prevent BYU from suffering their fourth loss in five games. The Cougars struggled with ball security, committing 16 turnovers—their highest total since January 7. Oklahoma State capitalized effectively on these mistakes, outscoring BYU 21-8 in points off turnovers.
As the Cowboys entered the matchup among the “First Four Out” in the CBS Sports Bracketology model, this victory is anticipated to elevate them to a No. 11 seed in the upcoming bracket update, marking their first Quad 1 win of the season. Although this is their first Quad 1 victory, they have previously secured wins against other potential NCAA Tournament teams such as Texas A&M and UCF.
For BYU, projected to remain a No. 4 seed in the CBS Sports Bracketology, this loss is a setback as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule. With a 4-5 record in Quad 1 games and no losses outside of that category, they are still in search of a signature victory. A win against No. 8 Houston on Saturday could change their narrative, but they must address defensive lapses, as their last three opponents have shot over 50 percent from the field.
