Lead
No. 22 BYU escaped a serious scare and a late comeback by Colorado in a 90-86 overtime victory on Saturday in Provo. The Cougars improved to 19-6 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play, but the game’s defining moment came 45 seconds in when veteran guard Richie Saunders landed awkwardly and exited with a knee issue. Despite the early loss of their second-leading scorer, BYU held off Colorado in overtime after Aleksej Kostic drained a go-ahead 3-pointer. The result kept BYU’s win streak at two games but left questions about the team’s ceiling heading into the final stretch.
Key Takeaways
- Richie Saunders exited under injury after 45 seconds and did not return; he is BYU’s second-leading scorer and a primary veteran leader.
- BYU won 90-86 in overtime, improving to 19-6 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play as of Saturday.
- The Cougars committed 16 turnovers that led to 21 Colorado points, undermining what had been a sizeable early advantage.
- BYU shot 50% from 3-point range—its best mark versus a Big 12 opponent this season—but made just 45% of two-point attempts and missed six layups.
- Aleksej Kostic hit a decisive 3 in overtime; Colorado shot 2-of-10 in the extra period.
- AJ Dybantsa flirted with a triple-double (20 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists) but had seven turnovers and shot 6-for-20.
- Rob Wright III posted a career-high 39 points with five rebounds and four assists, pacing BYU’s offense.
Background
BYU entered the game ranked 22nd and carrying high expectations for both conference standing and postseason seeding. The Cougars have leaned on a mix of young talent and veteran leadership all season; Saunders’ role as a veteran scorer and stabilizer has been central to that balance. Colorado arrived in Provo coming off a lopsided 78-44 loss at Texas Tech but showed resilience against BYU, especially down the stretch. The matchup also coincided with the retirement of Jimmer Fredette’s jersey, a symbolic moment that added emotion to an already charged environment.
The Big 12 slate has been tightly contested, with BYU’s 7-5 conference mark keeping them in the middle of the pack but within reach of a better seed if they can sustain consistency. Depth has been a recurring concern for the Cougars, who have relied heavily on primary scorers AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III. Colorado has oscillated between offensive bursts and defensive lapses this season, and on Saturday those offensive flashes nearly produced an upset after BYU’s early setback. The injury to Saunders intensified immediate depth questions and long-term roster planning for BYU’s coaching staff.
Main Event
The game’s pivotal moment happened under a minute in when Saunders leapt, landed awkwardly on his right foot, and immediately grabbed his right knee. He remained on the floor for an extended period before being helped to his feet and escorted to the locker room; he gave fans a double thumbs-up as he left but did not return to the bench. BYU lost his on-court leadership and scoring punch for the remainder of the contest.
Without Saunders, the Cougars struggled to close out regulation despite leading by seven with under five minutes remaining. BYU went 2-for-6 from the field in the closing stretch and committed two crucial turnovers in the final minutes, while Colorado converted five of its last eight regulation attempts—two from beyond the arc—to force overtime. Colorado capitalized on BYU’s late offensive misfires to erase a multi-point deficit.
In overtime BYU steadied. Colorado made only 2 of 10 shots in the extra period, and a 3-pointer from Aleksej Kostic swung momentum firmly back to the Cougars and proved decisive. BYU’s perimeter shooting (50% from three) offset poor two-point efficiency, helping the team find enough offense to close the game. Turnovers remained a problem—16 total—but Colorado’s inability to convert in overtime limited the damage.
Individual efforts shaped the final result. Rob Wright III exploded for a personal-best 39 points, adding five rebounds and four assists, while AJ Dybantsa put up a near triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists despite seven turnovers and a 6-for-20 shooting line. Those contributions were critical in the absence of Saunders, but the heavy lift highlighted how dependent BYU is on its two primary scorers.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate implication is medical and roster-related: Saunders’ early exit introduces significant uncertainty. If he misses extended time, BYU would lose its second-leading scorer and a veteran voice in late-game situations, forcing role players to assume larger minutes and responsibilities. That scenario could lower BYU’s ceiling considerably in conference play and the NCAA tournament selection conversation.
From a team-construction perspective, the game underscored depth limitations. BYU’s rotation already leans on Dybantsa and Wright for both scoring and playmaking; increasing their workloads raises fatigue and foul-risk concerns down the stretch. Bench players who have seen limited minutes will be asked to provide steadier defense and more efficient finishing around the rim—areas that produced six missed layups in this game.
Tactically, turnovers remain BYU’s glaring issue: 16 giveaways led to 21 opponent points and nearly undid a home win. Opponents that can extend pressure and exploit transition opportunities will pose even greater threats if Saunders is sidelined. Conversely, BYU’s 50% mark from three shows the team can still stretch the floor and overcome interior inefficiency; maintaining that perimeter accuracy will be crucial.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | BYU | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 90 | 86 |
| Overtime | Yes | Yes |
| Turnovers | 16 (21 pts off TO) | — |
| 3P% | 50% | — |
| Top scorers | Rob Wright III 39, AJ Dybantsa 20 | Aleksej Kostic key 3 in OT |
The table isolates the match’s decisive numbers: BYU’s turnovers and three-point efficiency skewed the box score in opposite directions. While the Cougars’ long shooting masked subpar two-point efficiency (45%) and six missed layups, Colorado’s late surge and superior two-point finishing in regulation pushed the game to overtime. The statistical profile shows a team capable of high-variance outcomes—dominating from distance but vulnerable inside and in ball security.
Reactions & Quotes
Media coverage captured the alarming nature of Saunders’ early exit and the emotional tone in the arena. Beat reporter Jackson Payne posted visual coverage of the fall and Saunders leaving the floor, noting the player’s thumbs-up gesture as he headed to the locker room. That social-media reporting set the tone for immediate concern among fans and commentators about the injury’s severity.
“Richie Saunders takes a hard fall 45 seconds into the game and is helped back into the locker room; he gave the fans a thumbs up on his way out.”
Jackson Payne / social media coverage
Team staff and fans watched nervously after the image circulated; the thumbs-up offered a brief reassurance but did not eliminate the uncertainty about the player’s availability. BYU coaching staff will face quick decisions about rotation changes and load management if Saunders is sidelined beyond a short absence.
Medical observers and roster analysts stressed the need for careful evaluation before projecting timelines. An awkward landing with immediate knee pain can involve a range of structures from ligament sprains to meniscal injury, each with different recovery windows. Conservative management and imaging will determine whether the team avoids worst-case scenarios or must prepare for a longer-term absence.
“An awkward landing producing immediate knee pain requires imaging to rule out ligament or meniscal damage; return-to-play timeline can vary widely.”
Sports medicine specialist (general comment)
Fans expressed a mix of relief and concern on social platforms after the win, applauding individual performances while questioning how the team will sustain success if Saunders’ injury proves serious. The win preserved BYU’s record and momentum, but the chatter quickly turned to contingency planning for upcoming conference matchups.
Unconfirmed
- The exact medical diagnosis and projected recovery timeline for Richie Saunders have not been publicly released and remain unconfirmed.
- Any plan for surgery or a multi-week absence is speculative until BYU’s medical staff provides official details.
- Longer-term rotation changes or lineup adjustments for BYU are possible but not finalized as of this report.
Bottom Line
BYU’s 90-86 overtime victory over Colorado preserved a solid record and demonstrated the team’s capacity to win in spite of disruption. However, the game exposed fault lines: turnover vulnerability, interior finishing struggles, and heavy dependence on a small set of primary scorers. The most consequential outcome of the night is Saunders’ early injury; its severity will largely determine whether BYU can sustain its current trajectory.
In the short term the Cougars can lean on Dybantsa and Wright to carry offense, but that approach has limits in a long conference season and in NCAA tournament scenarios where depth and balance often decide close games. The program’s next steps—medical updates, potential rotation changes, and strategic adjustments—will define whether this victory looks like a resilient escape or the beginning of a more difficult stretch.