{"id":8739,"date":"2025-12-10T09:04:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T09:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dybantsa-wright-byu-comeback\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T09:04:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T09:04:48","slug":"dybantsa-wright-byu-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dybantsa-wright-byu-comeback\/","title":{"rendered":"Dybantsa, Wright Spark Historic 22-Point Comeback to Lift No. 10 BYU Over Clemson"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>PROVO \u2014 At Madison Square Garden on Thursday night in the Jimmy V Classic, No. 10 BYU erased a 22-point second-half deficit to beat Clemson 67-64. AJ Dybantsa dominated the comeback, scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points after halftime, and Robert Wright III hit a buzzer-beating 3 to seal the victory. The win improved BYU to 8-1 while Clemson fell to 7-3. The result stands as the largest second-half rally in BYU men\u2019s basketball history.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Final score: BYU 67, Clemson 64 \u2014 BYU rallied from a 22-point second-half hole to win.<\/li>\n<li>AJ Dybantsa: 28 points (22 in the second half), nine rebounds, six assists; his second-half surge paced the comeback.<\/li>\n<li>Robert Wright III: 17 points, five rebounds, three assists; hit a buzzer 3-pointer off an inbounds pass from Mihailo Boskovic.<\/li>\n<li>Keba Keita contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals and provided critical dunks late.<\/li>\n<li>Clemson stats: Jestin Porter 17 points, four rebounds, four assists; RJ Godfrey 13 points and five rebounds; Clemson led 43-22 late in the first half.<\/li>\n<li>Momentum swing: Clemson made just 1 of its first 11 second-half field-goal attempts while BYU used a 20-3 run to take the lead.<\/li>\n<li>Historic mark: The 22-point comeback is the largest second-half rally in BYU program history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden is a high-profile early-season neutral-site event that often pits ranked programs against each other. BYU entered the game ranked No. 10 and carried expectations after a strong nonconference start, while Clemson came in 7-2 with balanced scoring and interior size that pressured opponents. Historically, BYU has had occasional deep comebacks but had not erased a 22-point second-half deficit until this meeting.<\/p>\n<p>Clemson built its lead behind efficient first-half shooting and superior rebounding, particularly in the opening 20 minutes when the Tigers outrebounded BYU and scored repeatedly from beyond the arc. BYU\u2019s roster features several recent transfers and an emerging freshman in Dybantsa, whose combination of size and playmaking has drawn national attention and draft speculation. The matchup highlighted contrasting styles: Clemson\u2019s halfcourt production and glass control versus BYU\u2019s transition and wing versatility.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The game tilted Clemson\u2019s way early. Porter&#8217;s 3s and a 24-3 stretch pushed the Tigers to a 43-22 advantage late in the first half, and BYU failed to score for the final 6:43 before intermission. Clemson shot 45 percent in the first half and held a notable edge on the glass and bench scoring that helped create the large margin.<\/p>\n<p>BYU opened the second half with more energy. Dybantsa scored seven points in a 10-1 run to begin the period and later hit free throws and jumpers that kept the Cougars within striking distance. Clemson, by contrast, missed many early second-half attempts \u2014 converting just one of its first 11 shots \u2014 while BYU chipped away with steals and improved rebounding.<\/p>\n<p>A dramatic stretch midway through the second half saw Keba Keita explode in transition, and one dunk broke the rim and forced a stoppage. BYU used the break to regroup; Dybantsa returned and hit back-to-back jumpers that capped a 20-3 run and pulled BYU to 47-42 with 9:55 remaining. Later, Dybantsa threaded passes to Keita for consecutive dunks that gave BYU a 55-54 lead with about 3:17 left.<\/p>\n<p>The closing sequence began with BYU coach Kevin Young drawing up a final play. Dybantsa and the second option, Richie Saunders, were well-defended. After an inbounds feed from Mihailo Boskovic, Wright caught the ball and buried a 3 at the buzzer for BYU\u2019s first lead of the night in the closing seconds. Hunter\u2019s tying bucket with five seconds left had briefly erased BYU\u2019s late advantage and set up Wright\u2019s winner.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Statistically, the game reflects a classic turnaround driven by defensive adjustments and cornerstones of modern rosters: a versatile wing who can score and create (Dybantsa) and a guard who can rise for big shots (Wright). Clemson\u2019s first-half dominance came from superior shooting and rebounding, but their second-half offensive collapse \u2014 1-for-11 early in the half \u2014 allowed BYU to flip the script.<\/p>\n<p>For BYU, the victory underscores the program\u2019s depth and roster construction since coaching changes and transfer movement. Dybantsa\u2019s multi-faceted performance (scoring, rebounding, passing) demonstrates why he\u2019s widely regarded as a high-upside prospect; his ability to impact games beyond scoring helped manufacture second-chance points and momentum swings. Wright\u2019s late-game composure also answers questions about BYU\u2019s backcourt toughness in pressure moments.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, Clemson leaves with clear takeaways about maintaining composure and execution when a lead evaporates. Teams that rely heavily on early shooting rhythm can be vulnerable if that rhythm stalls and opponents win the turnover and rebound battle. For Clemson, cleaning up late-game decision-making and second-half shot selection will be priorities.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>BYU (1H)<\/th>\n<th>BYU (2H)<\/th>\n<th>Clemson (1H)<\/th>\n<th>Clemson (2H)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Points<\/td>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rebounds<\/td>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>??<\/td>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>??<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table highlights the scoring split: BYU managed just 22 first-half points compared with 45 after halftime; Clemson\u2019s scoring dropped from 43 to 21. Rebound totals swung the contest in the second half as BYU erased an early deficit on the glass and in transition. (Box-score totals are available in the linked official recap.)<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I told Mihai, look for me; I\u2019m gonna be open. Then I got the ball and I knocked it down.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Robert Wright III, BYU guard (postgame)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Wright described his final play in simple terms: he signaled where he would be on the inbounds and executed under pressure. The shot was the point guard\u2019s first true buzzer-beater since his early high-school days, according to his own estimate.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>He can hurt you in so many different ways. I thought those two passes were as impressive as anything he did.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Kevin Young, BYU head coach (postgame)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Coach Young singled out Dybantsa\u2019s passing to Keita as pivotal, highlighting the freshman\u2019s playmaking in addition to his scoring. Young also noted that the rim-break delay inadvertently allowed starters extra rest, which he believes helped in the final stretch.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Why second-half swings happen<\/summary>\n<p>Large momentum swings often arise from a combination of defensive intensity, adjustments to matchups, and changes in shot selection. Teams that get hot from deep early can build big leads, but if the trailing team forces turnovers, wins rebounds and gets to the rim, the scoreboard can flip quickly. Fresh legs and bench depth also matter \u2014 a break or stoppage can alter rotation timing and fatigue, and coaches may exploit that to pressure ball-handlers or switch defensive schemes.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Projection that AJ Dybantsa will be an NBA draft lottery pick is a consensus scouting view but remains a projection and not a guaranteed outcome.<\/li>\n<li>Whether the broken rim and subsequent delay materially changed the outcome is a coach\u2019s assessment; it is difficult to quantify the delay\u2019s precise impact on player performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>BYU\u2019s comeback at Madison Square Garden was a landmark moment for the program: an example of how a single high-impact player can alter a game while strong bench and role-player contributions sustain a run. AJ Dybantsa delivered an all-around second-half performance, and Robert Wright III provided the composure to finish it.<\/p>\n<p>For BYU, the win offers momentum and a confidence boost as the Cougars return home to the Marriott Center and prepare for UC Riverside on Saturday at 7 p.m. MST (ESPN+). For Clemson, the game is a reminder of the fragile nature of big leads and the importance of closing out games with consistent offensive execution and rebounding control.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ksl.com\/article\/51416988\/dybantsa-wright-rally-no-10-byu-from-22-point-2nd-half-deficit-to-top-clemson-in-jimmy-v-classic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KSL \u2014 local news report (game coverage and box score)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead PROVO \u2014 At Madison Square Garden on Thursday night in the Jimmy V Classic, No. 10 BYU erased a 22-point second-half deficit to beat Clemson 67-64. AJ Dybantsa dominated the comeback, scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points after halftime, and Robert Wright III hit a buzzer-beating 3 to seal the victory. The win &#8230; <a title=\"Dybantsa, Wright Spark Historic 22-Point Comeback to Lift No. 10 BYU Over Clemson\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dybantsa-wright-byu-comeback\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Dybantsa, Wright Spark Historic 22-Point Comeback to Lift No. 10 BYU Over Clemson\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Dybantsa, Wright Spark BYU's Historic Comeback - KSL","rank_math_description":"AJ Dybantsa scored 22 second-half points and Robert Wright III hit a buzzer 3 to fuel No.10 BYU's record 22-point comeback for a 67-64 win at the Jimmy V Classic.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Dybantsa, Robert Wright III, BYU comeback, Jimmy V Classic, Clemson","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8739\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}