{"id":590409,"date":"2026-02-08T11:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T11:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590409\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T11:55:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T11:55:42","slug":"byu-fails-to-finish-drops-another-game-to-an-elite-big-12-team-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/590409\/","title":{"rendered":"BYU fails to finish, drops another game to an elite Big 12 team \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

As presently constituted, BYU has little margin for error as it goes up against the other nationally ranked basketball teams in the Big 12 in search of a signature win.<\/p>\n

The No. 16 Cougars don\u2019t have to play perfectly, but they have to do the little things right \u2014 like make a decent percentage of their free throws, make all or most of their close-in shots and hold their own on the defensive glass \u2014 if they hope to knock off an Arizona, Texas Tech, Kansas or Houston.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t do any of those three things better than average on Saturday night, and as a result lost their fourth straight game for the first time in their three seasons in the Big 12, falling 77-66 to No. 8 Houston in front of 18,177 at the Marriott Center.<\/p>\n

Despite 28 points on 9 of 14 shooting from AJ Dybantsa, BYU dropped to 0-4 against Houston in Big 12 games. But at least BYU wasn\u2019t blown out by last year\u2019s national runner-up like it was twice last year.<\/p>\n

So there was a bit of a silver lining to this one, although it remains to be seen if legendary coach Kelvin Sampson\u2019s group is as good as it was last year, even with the addition of sensational freshman Kingston Flemings, who led the red Cougars with 19 points.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are upset that we didn\u2019t win the game. Another great opportunity that we let go, which, unfortunately for us, has been too many against the highest of caliber teams in the country,\u201d coach Kevin Young said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t seem to finish the job, and that is disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dives on a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"The Houston Cougars celebrate during a stoppage after scoring during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson argues with a referee during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU head coach Kevin Young reacts to a basket by the Houston Cougars during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU fans react to a call during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) dunks against Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks on as he waits for the ball to be inbounded during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Richie Saunders (15) grabs a rebound over Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) is fouled by Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) is fouled by Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU center Keba Keita (13) reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Richie Saunders (15) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Ramon Walker Jr. (3) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Fans celebrate a BYU three-pointer during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Richie Saunders (15) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) blocks a shot by Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) celebrates making a three-pointer during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson looks on during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) sets the play during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) has his shot blocked by Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) is fouled as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) looks to pass the ball as he falls during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots a 3-pointer during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) celebrates making a 3-pointer during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News <\/p>\n

After never having the lead in those two aforementioned losses last year \u2014 one at Houston and one in the Big 12 quarterfinals \u2014 the blue Cougars (5-5, 17-6) led 51-48 with 13:31 remaining Saturday and 52-50 with 12:48 left.<\/p>\n

Then the wheels started to come off, slowly but surely, and Houston began to assert its will, winning most of the 50-50 balls, to use a soccer phrase, and showing its superiority inside.<\/p>\n

Houston turned 13 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points, and was particularly effective in the final 10 minutes. The red Cougars closed the game on a 23-12 run to get their fourth straight win.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t start offensive rebounding tonight. It has been a staple of ours for a long time,\u201d Sampson said.<\/p>\n

BYU\u2019s slide began when Dybantsa missed one of two free throws, and then Keba Keita missed a front-end opportunity. <\/p>\n

On one particular possession, Dybantsa missed two free throws as BYU was trying to cut into a five-point deficit, and then Keita made one of two after corralling an offensive rebound.<\/p>\n

Dybantsa was 7 of 12 from the free-throw line and the blue Cougars finished a frosty 16 of 28, while Houston (9-1, 21-2) made the most of its fewer freebies \u2014 12 of 15 \u2014 and pulled away down the stretch to get its fourth straight win.<\/p>\n

\u201cI missed five free throws,\u201d Dybantsa said. \u201cThat\u2019s unacceptable on my behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Young, bluntly, when asked if there\u2019s anything he can do to improve BYU\u2019s free throw shooting.<\/p>\n

He also bluntly pointed out that BYU\u2019s centers \u2014 Keita and Abdullah Ahmed \u2014 combined to go 3 of 10 in the paint and 3 of 7 from the free-throw line.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are being nice,\u201d he told this reporter, who suggested Houston\u2019s defense and size inside had something to do with it. <\/p>\n

\u201cGo make a shot. I don\u2019t know what else to say. \u2026 So those are basically seven missed layups and (four) missed free throws between your two centers. Not good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young also made a critical coaching error, taking Dybantsa out of the game with 5:07 remaining after the freshman hit two free throws to cut Houston\u2019s lead to 63-59. <\/p>\n

Houston\u2019s Kalifa Sakho scored after an offensive rebound and Flemings made a driving layup to push UH\u2019s lead out to eight before Young could get Dybantsa back on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was about to pass out,\u201d Young said when asked why he took the superstar out of the game.<\/p>\n

Later, Young explained that the under four media timeout was coming and he thought he could steal a minute or two to get Dybantsa some rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that is what went into that decision,\u201d Young said, adding that he is going to challenge the teenager to get more sleep, eat better and take better care of his body so fatigue doesn\u2019t creep in as easily. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he was great tonight. When he is rolling like that, you don\u2019t want to take him off the floor. \u2026 We need him out there as much as we can possibly have him out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dybantsa said he was feeling fine and re-entered the game with 3:06 remaining and BYU down nine. With 1:45 left he hit a 3-pointer to get the Cougars within five, but Houston\u2019s Emanuel Sharp answered with a 3, and BYU did not make another field goal the remainder of the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, I was good,\u201d Dybantsa said. \u201cHe probably thought I needed a rest. He usually takes me out right before the media timeout so I could get extra rest, but nah, I was good. I don\u2019t know why he said that.\u201d<\/p>\n

So chalk this one up as another lost opportunity for BYU, which is making a habit of it. <\/p>\n

Another factor that led to the loss: Houston held BYU star Richie Saunders to seven points on 1 of 8 shooting. <\/p>\n

Saunders still had seven rebounds and four assists, but the Cougars need all three of their so-called \u201cBig 3\u201d to score in double figures, at the minimum, and on this night the senior didn\u2019t deliver. <\/p>\n

Rob Wright III added 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, but had just one assist in 36 minutes.<\/p>\n

At least BYU\u2019s defense was much better than it was Wednesday night, when Oklahoma State steamrolled the Cougars 99-92 in Stillwater.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was happy with the response. Since I have been at BYU, that is the hardest that I have gone at the team, in terms of the things I was saying to them, the film I was showing them, the practices and so forth,\u201d Young said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo for me, I do think they responded. This was an \u2018I am going to learn a lot about our group\u2019 type of game. Again, disappointed that we didn\u2019t pull the win out, but I thought the response out of the guys given the stretch that we are going through was admirable.\u201d<\/p>\n

BYU now heads back out on the road and will face Baylor on Tuesday night in Waco, Texas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As presently constituted, BYU has little margin for error as it goes up against the other nationally ranked…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":590410,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3724],"tags":[7,1111],"class_list":{"0":"post-590409","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-basketball","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-news-feed-local"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116034886235934213","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590409\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/590410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}