BYU Basketball: Key Moments from Top-10 Win at Iowa State
No. 23 BYU basketball secured a thrilling victory over No. 10 Iowa State in Ames, winning 88-85 in a double-overtime thriller, a game that could be a contender for “Game of the Year” in college hoops.
This victory extends BYU’s winning streak to seven games, placing them tied for the 10th-longest streak in college basketball.
Here are some key takeaways from BYU’s dramatic win, a game filled with excitement and resilience.
A Wild Contest BYU head coach Kevin Young summed it up perfectly at the postgame podium: “I don’t even know what to say, honestly.”
The game was certainly wild.
BYU began sluggishly, not scoring until Dallin Hall hit a three-pointer at the 13:35 mark in the first half. From that point, BYU went on a 23-7 run to close out the first half.
BYU eventually led by 21 points, but Iowa State mounted a comeback, similar to last season when they trimmed a BYU halftime lead. However, unlike last year, BYU handled the pressure and managed to clinch the win in the overtime periods.
BYU Showed Toughness Against a Strong Iowa State Team BYU’s defense was solid, holding Iowa State to 39% shooting from the field and 29% from three-point range. The Cougars also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Cyclones 52-24, denying them multiple opportunities on offense.
Coach Kevin Young emphasized the team’s toughness, referencing their growth over the last couple of months: “We started playing like the tougher team,” said Young, recognizing the physical battle his team was ready for.
Dallin Hall’s Stellar Performance Last year, Dallin Hall had a costly turnover that sealed BYU’s fate at Iowa State. But this time, he delivered in a big way.
Hall finished with a season-high 22 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range. His clutch three-pointer in the first overtime, following Iowa State’s first lead since the first half, was pivotal. Despite battling cramps, Hall continued to perform, with BYU’s Director of Nutrition, Danielle LaFata, providing hydration to help him stay on the floor.
“What Dallin (Hall) did tonight was amazing, playing through cramps, knocking down big shots,” said Young. “That’s the toughness we’ve talked about.”
Richie Saunders Perfect from the Free-Throw Line After struggling at the free-throw line in their previous game, BYU showed improvement in Ames. They made 25 of 31 free throws, with Richie Saunders leading the charge, finishing a perfect 13-of-13.
Saunders’ clutch free throws, especially two in the final moments of regulation, gave BYU a 68-66 lead. “You learn through experiences,” Saunders said afterward, reflecting on his free-throw success in key moments.
BYU’s First-Half Adjustments with Boskovic and Stewart BYU struggled early, falling behind 10-3, but coach Young quickly made adjustments. After the under-12 media timeout, he deployed a lineup featuring Mihailo Boskovic and Trey Stewart, which sparked a turnaround.
Alongside starters Egor Demin, Keba Keita, and Richie Saunders, Boskovic and Stewart helped BYU string together a first-half run, showing Young’s flexibility in adjusting lineups to find success.
Keba Keita’s Dominance on the Boards ESPN analyst Chris Spatola described Keba Keita as “chiseled like a Greek God” for his imposing physical presence, and Keita certainly lived up to that description.
Keita played with unmatched intensity, particularly on the glass, contributing greatly to BYU’s dominance in rebounding. His performance was key to BYU’s control of the game’s tempo and his presence was felt throughout the contest.
