In a game that could define the future of BYU Basketball, the Cougars stormed to a gritty 73-69 win over West Virginia, delivering one of the most thrilling performances of the Kevin Young era. It was the bench players who truly stepped up, outscoring West Virginia 38-18, showcasing incredible depth and determination.
Key contributions came from Trey Stewart, Mihailo Boskovic, Dallin Hall, Fousseyni Traore, and Kanon Catchings. Stewart was a standout, hitting clutch threes—including one as the shot clock expired—and scoring 8 points in total. Boskovic came up huge with a late three-pointer and a decisive three-point play that sealed the game in the final moments.
The offensive fireworks weren’t just from the bench though. Egor Demin turned in a sensational performance, scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists, proving himself as a key player in BYU’s success.
The game was a rollercoaster, with 11 lead changes and 5 ties. West Virginia came out strong in the second half, but BYU wasn’t backing down. Trailing 62-56 with 6:33 left, the Cougars rallied—starting with Demin’s and-one finish that brought them back within 3. A steal by Mawot Mag led to free throws from Richie Saunders, and Boskovic’s three-pointer put BYU ahead for the first time in the second half.
The game came down to the wire, with Demin stealing the ball and sinking crucial free throws to put BYU up 70-69. After another big defensive stop, Boskovic executed a perfect play, finishing at the rim and sealing the game with a free throw for a 73-69 win.
This victory keeps BYU’s NCAA Tournament hopes alive, and with a massive showdown against Kansas State on Saturday, the Cougars are fired up and ready for the next challenge!
