The Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, was rocking on February 21, 2026, as No. 23 BYU delivered a statement win, upsetting the sixth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones 79-69 in a game that could reshape the Cougars’ postseason outlook. This wasn’t just any victory—it was the Cougars’ first Quad 1A win of the season and their first home victory over an AP Top-10 opponent since toppling No. 2 Gonzaga back in 2020. For a team that had been searching for a signature moment, Saturday night delivered in spades.
BYU entered the contest with a 1-6 record against AP Top 25 teams this season, but the narrative changed dramatically against the Cyclones. The Cougars, playing their second game without star guard Richie Saunders (out for the season with an ACL injury), showed grit, hustle, and a level of execution that had eluded them in marquee matchups earlier in the year. Saunders, though sidelined, was on the bench cheering on his teammates—a testament to the unity of this BYU squad.
The star of the show? None other than freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa. Projected as the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Dybantsa put on a clinic, nearly notching a triple-double with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. His defensive presence was equally impactful, forcing nine Cyclone stops and holding Iowa State’s sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic to just five points on 1-of-5 shooting. As one report put it, "This was likely Dybantsa’s finest outing of his unbelievable freshman campaign."
The first half was a back-and-forth affair early, with BYU jumping out to a 7-2 lead before Iowa State answered with a 7-0 run. The Cougars responded with a 13-0 blitz late in the half, sparked by Dybantsa and Rob Wright, who combined for 10 of those points. Mihailo Boskovic and Khadim Mboup rounded out the run, with Boskovic adding a key bucket and Mboup chipping in a free throw. During this stretch, Iowa State went ice-cold, missing six straight field goal attempts and coughing up three turnovers.
By halftime, BYU led 39-30—their largest lead at the break since a midseason win over Arizona State. Dybantsa led all scorers with 14 points at the half, but it was a balanced attack that kept the Cougars ahead. Boskovic had seven points, and Mboup added three, while the glass was controlled by Mboup, who grabbed nine of his 10 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. The Cougars dominated the boards, finishing with a 39-28 advantage, including 12 offensive rebounds. As the Deseret News observed, "BYU dominated down low. The Cougars rebounded like mad men."
The second half saw BYU build their lead to as many as 13 points, with Dybantsa and Kennard Davis hitting big shots and Keba Keita sacrificing his body to keep possessions alive. Iowa State, however, refused to go quietly. Tamin Lipsey, who led the Cyclones with 19 points, helped trim the margin to just three points with 7:21 remaining. Jamarion Batemon and Joshua Jefferson chipped in with 14 and 13 points respectively, but every time Iowa State threatened, BYU had an answer.
One of the game’s pivotal moments came when the Cyclones, down three, missed a series of shots and BYU responded with a flurry. Dybantsa found Davis for a soaring dunk, then set up Boskovic for a corner three-pointer that restored a double-digit lead with under two minutes to play. The energy in the Marriott Center was palpable, with the crowd noise peaking at 109 decibels during a timeout called by Iowa State’s coach T.J. Otzelberger.
BYU’s supporting cast played a crucial role. Kennard Davis Jr. finished with 17 points and four rebounds, while Boskovic added 13 points and five boards. Keita, Boskovic, and Davis all contributed on the glass, ensuring BYU nearly doubled Iowa State’s paint scoring (40-22). The Cougars also scored 13 points off turnovers and 14 in transition, averaging 1.25 points per possession against a Cyclone defense ranked in the nation’s top 10.
Coach Kevin Young, who celebrated with fans postgame, lauded his team’s resilience and togetherness. The absence of Saunders could have been a fatal blow, but instead, it galvanized the group. As the Cyclones cut the lead, BYU’s composure never wavered. Wright, a Baylor transfer, continued his strong season with timely buckets and defensive plays, while Mboup’s 10 rebounds were a difference-maker.
For Iowa State, the loss stung—especially after being projected as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament just hours before tipoff. The Cyclones fell to 23-4 overall (10-4 Big 12), while BYU improved to 20-7 (8-6 Big 12). The defeat marked only Iowa State’s fourth of the season, but it underscored the challenge of winning on the road in the Big 12, especially against a hungry opponent with something to prove.
Looking ahead, BYU will try to build on this momentum as they host UCF on February 24 in a late-night "blackout game." The Cougars have asked fans to wear black as the team dons special uniforms, hoping to keep the Marriott Center’s energy at fever pitch. For a program that’s been searching for belief and a marquee win, Saturday night provided both in abundance.
With Dybantsa playing at an elite level and the supporting cast stepping up, BYU suddenly looks like a team nobody wants to face in March. The Cougars’ signature win over Iowa State may just be the spark that propels them into the national spotlight—and deeper into the postseason than anyone imagined a month ago.
As the final buzzer sounded, the message was clear: BYU basketball is back in the conversation, and with performances like this, their season’s ceiling just got a whole lot higher.