SAN DIEGO, Calif. — In a competitive matchup during the Rady Children’s Invitational, BYU emerged victorious over North Carolina State with a score of 72-61, securing the third-place title. Richie Saunders was instrumental in the win, contributing 13 points, while Fousseyni Traore made his presence felt off the bench with 10 points.

The Cougars, improving their season record to 6-1, showcased their dominance throughout the game, never falling behind. With this victory, BYU has extended its impressive streak, achieving 20 consecutive wins against non-conference opponents, which leads the nation.

For North Carolina State (5-2), both Michael O’Connell and Jayden Taylor stepped up, each scoring 16 points in an effort to rally the team. BYU held a solid lead at halftime, with the score at 38-27, and they further solidified their advantage by outscoring the Wolfpack 14-5 in the first few minutes of the second half. This surge propelled them to a 20-point lead, marking the peak of their performance at 52-32.

Despite North Carolina State’s attempts to close the gap, the final score indicated that BYU maintained control, with the Wolfpack unable to come closer in the latter stages of the game.