Lead
On Jan. 24, 2026 at the Marriott Center in Provo, No. 13 BYU beat the University of Utah 91-78, handing the Utes a discouraging midseason defeat. BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa erupted for a career-high 43 points, breaking the Cougar freshman single-game scoring mark. Utah stayed competitive for much of the afternoon — including a stretch when Terrence Brown’s 3s pulled the Utes within a point — but a 14-3 run by BYU after the 15:09 mark opened a decisive gap. The loss left Utah 9-11 overall and 1-6 in Big 12 play, and raised fresh questions about the team’s defense and late-game resolve.
Key takeaways
- Final score: BYU 91, Utah 78; BYU improved to 17-2 overall and 5-1 in Big 12 play, Utah fell to 9-11 and 1-6 in conference.
- AJ Dybantsa scored a career-high 43 points and set a new BYU freshman single-game scoring record previously held by Danny Ainge.
- Utah hit 13 of 21 from behind the arc (61.9%), led by Keanu Dawes’ 23 points and Terrence Brown’s 22.
- BYU dominated the glass, 40-24, and outscored Utah 19-2 in second-chance points; BYU also won points in the paint 48-18.
- The Cougars shot 53.3% for the game and 60% in the second half, scoring 49 points after intermission.
- BYU secured its third consecutive win in the series and its fifth straight victory in Provo over Utah.
Background
The rivalry returned to Provo after a close meeting at the Huntsman Center two weeks earlier, where BYU edged Utah by five on the road. Both games followed a similar early pattern: competitive, alternating runs and repeated possessions that kept the scoreboard tight through the first half. Utah entered the matchup searching for stability in Big 12 play; the Utes’ 1-6 conference mark reflected uneven defense and difficulty matching physical frontcourts. BYU, meanwhile, has grown around high-upside freshman AJ Dybantsa and a supporting cast that uses size and interior production to tilt outcomes.
Alex Jensen, in his first year as Utah’s head coach, has emphasized confidence and shooting — and the Utes proved that philosophy offensively on Saturday. Still, the program’s defensive shortcomings have surfaced repeatedly, especially versus opponents that emphasize offensive rebounding and paint scoring. The timing of this loss — approaching the midpoint of conference play — intensified scrutiny, because Utah cannot rely on morale or close losses to alter its standing much longer.
Main event
The game stayed within reach until 15:09 left in the second half, when Terrence Brown nailed his fourth 3 of the night to make it 55-53. That sequence briefly suggested Utah could replicate its earlier competitiveness. Instead, BYU answered with a 14-3 surge that separated the teams and shifted momentum decisively. Dybantsa was at the center of that run, mixing drives, post touches and perimeter shots while Utah struggled to contain him.
After halftime, BYU’s efficiency rose: the Cougars scored 49 second-half points and shot 60% in that period. Utah’s offense remained effective from deep — finishing 13-for-21 on 3s — but the Utes were repeatedly beaten on the boards and in the paint. Utah managed little from second-chance opportunities (just two points), while BYU converted repeatedly after offensive rebounds.
Individual contributions were clear: Dybantsa’s 43 paced BYU; Keanu Dawes led Utah with 23 points; Brown added 22 and Don McHenry 16. The numerical story underscored a familiar theme for Utah this season: capable perimeter scoring undermined by defensive lapses and an inability to stop physical, high-efficiency opponents in late stretches.
Analysis & implications
Statistically, the loss exposed three interrelated weaknesses for Utah — interior defense, defensive rebounding and consistency in late-game effort. BYU’s 40-24 edge on the boards and 19-2 advantage in second-chance points translated directly into paint dominance (48-18), turning otherwise close sequences into a comfortable BYU margin. When an opponent maximizes those areas while shooting above 50%, perimeter makes are often cancelled out.
Psychologically, coach Alex Jensen’s assessment that players “felt defeated” points to a shift from competitive grit to a lapse in will late in the game. Whether that was a momentary drop in energy, matchup fatigue, or a schematic failing, the result was the same: Utah did not execute defensive adjustments when BYU increased physicality and attacked the glass. That distinction — effort versus scheme — matters for how the staff will address the issue in practice and personnel decisions.
For BYU, the victory reinforces the program’s trajectory around Dybantsa and interior size. A 43-point performance in a rivalry game raises the freshman’s national profile and makes BYU a tougher matchup for teams that cannot match length and finishing. For Utah, the road forward requires clearer defensive identity: improved rim protection, stronger box-outs and late-game rotations that prevent multi-possession swings.
Comparison & data
| Category | BYU | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 91 | 78 |
| FG% | 53.3% | — |
| 3P (made/att) | — | 13/21 (61.9%) |
| Rebounds | 40 | 24 |
| Second-chance points | 19 | 2 |
| Points in paint | 48 | 18 |
The table highlights where BYU gained separation: superior efficiency and dominance on the glass. Utah’s 3-point accuracy kept the score closer than interior metrics alone would suggest, but the rebounding and paint scoring gaps explain the 13-point loss. Those differentials are consistent with other recent Utah defeats, underscoring a pattern rather than a one-off anomaly.
Reactions & quotes
Utah’s coach and players voiced frustration after the game, emphasizing effort and attention to detail.
“He’s a generational talent, and he showed what he’s capable of tonight.”
Alex Jensen, Utah head coach (on AJ Dybantsa)
Jensen also reflected on his team’s late-game posture.
“It was the first time this year I thought our guys quit at the end. They felt defeated.”
Alex Jensen, Utah head coach
On the floor, Terrence Brown framed the loss as one that requires renewed focus in practice and execution.
“No more moral victories. We just gotta start winning — attention to detail every day.”
Terrence Brown, Utah guard
Unconfirmed
- Whether Utah’s late collapse was primarily mental or the result of matchup fatigue is not independently verified; coach comments reflect his perspective.
- Any internal lineup or role changes the staff may consider in response to this game have not been announced and remain speculative.
- Long-term NBA interest or draft implications for AJ Dybantsa based on this single performance are possible but not confirmed.
Bottom line
Saturday’s loss in Provo was more than a single defeat: it exposed recurring deficiencies that have cost Utah in conference play. Despite outstanding perimeter shooting, the Utes were overmatched on the glass and in paint scoring, and a late-game collapse widened a margin that earlier sequences had kept tight. The coach’s comment that players “felt defeated” underscores an urgency beyond Xs and Os — Utah must rekindle consistent effort and make tactical adjustments to stop interior scoring and secure rebounds.
Practically, Utah returns home and will face Oklahoma State next Saturday at the Huntsman Center; that game and the next few conference outings will serve as a barometer for whether Jensen’s staff can fix the underlying issues. For BYU and AJ Dybantsa, the performance cements momentum and raises the stakes for opponents constructing defensive plans around both interior physicality and a rising freshman scorer.