In an electrifying matchup at Kansas City, the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars edged past the 12th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones with a thrilling 96-92 victory in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. Richie Saunders led the charge with 23 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer in the final minute that propelled BYU further into the semis of the tournament.
Fousseyni Traore complemented Saunders’ performance with 15 points, while Trevin Knell also added 14 for the Cougars, who shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc, setting a new tournament record with their 18 made 3-pointers. This victory sets up a semifinal clash against either Houston or Colorado.
For Iowa State, Curtis Jones put on a remarkable display with 31 points and 7 three-pointers, while Milan Momcilovic added 18 points. The Cyclones were contesting without Keshon Gilbert, their second-leading scorer, and Tamin Lipsey, a point guard with 101 consecutive starts, both sidelined due to injuries. Gilbert attempted to play with a muscle strain against Cincinnati earlier but managed only 11 minutes, while Lipsey was out with a groin strain.
Despite missing Kanon Catchings due to a knee injury, BYU managed to sustain a fast-paced game akin to their previous double-overtime victory over Iowa State. The teams combined for 20 first-half 3-pointers, with Jones contributing 22 points, leading the Cyclones to a 53-49 lead at the half. However, BYU’s surge, including an 11-0 run capped by Mihailo Boskovic’s defining 3-pointer, shifted momentum in their favor.
The Cougars put the finishing touches from the free-throw line, going 18 of 21, to secure the win in the concluding moments. Iowa State made a strategic decision to preserve their key players for the NCAA Tournament, hoping for health improvements. Meanwhile, BYU vastly improved their turnover woes, committing only 10 in the rematch after a cumbersome 29 in their prior meeting.
The defining moment came as Saunders landed his third 3-pointer with less than a minute on the clock, handing BYU a decisive lead. Iowa State missed key opportunities, allowing the Cougars to seal victory from the line. The teams’ combined tally of 31 3-pointers set a new high for the Big 12 Tournament.
BYU now advances to the semifinals, aiming for a shot at the championship game come Friday night.
