The Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, was electric on the night of February 21, 2026, as the No. 23 BYU Cougars delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come, toppling the No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones 79-69. This signature win did more than just add a number to the victory column—it gave BYU its first Quad 1A triumph of the season and a much-needed boost to its NCAA tournament résumé. For a team that had been searching for validation against top-tier competition, this was the night everything clicked.
Entering the matchup, BYU had struggled against ranked opponents, holding a 1-6 record against AP Top 25 teams. The Cougars were also dealing with the absence of star player Richie Saunders, who, though sidelined, supported his teammates from the bench. Head coach Kevin Young’s squad was hungry to prove they could hang with the best, and on this Saturday night, they did just that.
The Cyclones came into Provo with an imposing 23-3 record (10-3 in the Big 12), riding high after impressive wins over No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, and No. 9 Kansas. Their offense averaged 83.7 points per game, good for 36th nationally, while their defense ranked a stingy 10th, allowing only 64.6 points per contest. Yet, BYU was undeterred, despite a recent stretch that saw them drop six of nine games after an early-season surge that had them ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation.
From the opening tip, the energy was palpable. The Cougars jumped out to a 7-2 lead, fueled by contributions from across the roster. Iowa State, however, responded quickly, stringing together a 7-0 run to seize a brief advantage. But it wasn’t long before BYU’s freshman phenom, AJ Dybantsa, made his presence felt with a coast-to-coast slam that brought the crowd to its feet.
Throughout the first half, the teams traded blows, but the game’s defining moment came with just over six minutes left before halftime. Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson hit a three-pointer to put the Cyclones up by one, but that would be their last bucket for nearly six minutes. BYU responded with a stunning 13-0 run, arguably their most impressive stretch of the season. Dybantsa and Rob Wright III combined for 10 of those points, with Mihailo Boskovic and Khadim Mboup chipping in as well.
During this surge, BYU’s defense was relentless. Iowa State missed all six of its field goal attempts and coughed up three turnovers. By the time the Cyclones finally broke their drought, the Cougars had built a 10-point cushion. When the halftime buzzer sounded, BYU led 39-30—their largest halftime lead since January. The Marriott Center crowd, already raucous, erupted when the decibel meter flashed 109 during a timeout, underscoring the intensity of the atmosphere.
AJ Dybantsa was the star of the night, finishing with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 10 rebounds, nine assists, a block, and a steal. His efforts weren’t limited to offense; Dybantsa’s defensive assignment was Iowa State’s prolific scorer Milan Momcilovic, whom he held to just five points on 1-for-5 shooting. As noted by Deseret News, "Dybantsa’s most valuable contribution was his defense. He forced nine Cyclone stops and held prolific scorer/3-point shooter Milan Momcilovic to just five points on 1 of 5 shooting."
But Dybantsa wasn’t alone. Khadim Mboup was a force on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds—nine in the first half alone. Keba Keita, returning to form after a hand injury, added six boards, while Boskovic and Kennard Davis Jr. chipped in five and four, respectively. In total, BYU outrebounded Iowa State 39-28, including a whopping 12 offensive rebounds. This dominance down low translated into 40 points in the paint for the Cougars, nearly doubling Iowa State’s 22. As for second-chance opportunities, BYU capitalized time and again, keeping possessions alive and forcing the Cyclones to scramble defensively.
Offensively, BYU wasn’t perfect from deep, hitting just 28% from beyond the arc, but they made up for it with hustle plays and points in transition. The Cougars scored 13 points off turnovers and 14 on the break, averaging 1.25 points per possession against an Iowa State defense that’s been among the nation’s best. Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey did his best to keep his team in it, leading the Cyclones with 19 points, but BYU’s balanced attack and tenacious rebounding proved too much.
The second half saw Iowa State threaten, trimming the deficit to as little as three points at one stage. Yet BYU never lost its composure. Key defensive stops, timely buckets—including a crucial three from Boskovic—and unselfish ball movement kept the Cyclones at bay. The Cougars’ ability to withstand Iowa State’s runs and respond with poise spoke volumes about their growth and resilience.
What made the victory even sweeter for BYU fans was the context. Not only was this the Cougars’ first win over an AP Top-10 team at home since shocking No. 2 Gonzaga in 2020, but it also snapped a frustrating streak of near-misses against elite competition. As KSL Sports reported, "BYU finally earned a signature victory. All season long, the Cougars have been unable to defeat elite opponents, entering Saturday night 0-6 against top 15-ranked teams. But the losing streak is over."
Head coach Kevin Young was visibly emotional after the game, celebrating with fans and acknowledging the magnitude of the win. The Cougars’ supporters, clad in blue and white, reveled in the moment, their faith in the team’s potential reaffirmed. The absence of Richie Saunders, a key contributor, only made the achievement more impressive and bodes well for BYU’s depth heading into the final stretch of the season.
Looking ahead, BYU will try to build on this momentum as they host UCF in a late-night showdown on February 24. The upcoming game carries its own intrigue, with the Cougars planning a "blackout game"—fans are encouraged to wear black as the team dons special uniforms. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. MST, broadcast on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio.
For now, though, the Cougars can savor a night when everything came together: a relentless defense, a dominant rebounding effort, and a star performance from AJ Dybantsa. It’s the kind of win that can change a season and, perhaps, the perception of a program. With March looming, BYU has finally shown it can beat anyone, anywhere, when it matters most.