Top 3 Lessons from No. 25 BYU’s Thrilling Victory Against West Virginia

BYU is on a roll, celebrating yet another victory. The Cougars clinched a 77-56 win against West Virginia on Saturday at Marriott Center. This marks their sixth win in a row, pushing their season record to 21-8 and 12-6 in Big 12 play.

During the game, BYU stumbled early. The first half was tough, with the team missing all their three-point attempts until late. They only managed four shots from beyond the arc before halftime. Yet, once they found their rhythm, they quickly switched gears.

A strong finish to the first half saw BYU score 10 unanswered points, closing the half with a 25-19 lead. They continued their momentum after the break, scoring another eight points straight. By the end of the game, BYU shot 60.6% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range in the second half, adding up to a comfortable 21-point victory. The 77 points they scored were the most West Virginia has given up against a Big 12 opponent this season.

Egor Demin was a standout for the Cougars. He contributed significantly in the second half with 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting, nailing two triples along the way.

This win highlighted BYU’s adaptability. With starter Keba Keita facing foul trouble, Fousseyni Traore stepped up. He dominated inside the paint, scoring 20 points and securing 10 rebounds, marking his second double-double of the year. His strong performance helped BYU score 46 points in the paint, showcasing their ability to adjust when their outside shooting isn’t working.

Head coach Kevin Young remarked on the team’s diverse scoring options, stating, “We’re not a one-trick pony. That was on display tonight.”

Defensively, BYU shined as well. They limited West Virginia to just 33.3% shooting and kept their opponents to 8 out of 27 from the three-point line. Mawot Mag and teammate Trey Stewart played critical roles in smothering West Virginia’s standout player, Javon Small. Mag’s contributions, though not on the score sheet, were vital in rendering Small ineffective, as he shot only 5 of 14 with minimal impact on the game.