SPORTS

BYU's Dybantsa scores 40, advances Cougars

PUBLISHED Mar 10, 2026, 12:38 AM ET

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa scored 40 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished six assists Tuesday as the No. 10-seeded Cougars defeated No. 15 Kansas State 105-91 in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center. Dybantsa’s performance set a Big 12 tournament freshman scoring record and included 15 made field goals, according to ESPN research. The win followed BYU’s recent upset of No. 10 Texas Tech and came after Richie Saunders, sidelined by an ACL injury on Feb. 14, traveled with the team to Kansas City. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Noormahi M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Preseason: BYU entered with top-10 expectations in AP projections.
Jan. 3: BYU beat Kansas State 83-73 at Bramlage Coliseum.
Feb. 14: Richie Saunders suffered an ACL injury and was ruled out for the season.
Late February/early March: BYU upset No. 10 Texas Tech at the Marriott Center.
Tournament Tuesday: BYU defeated Kansas State 105-91 as AJ Dybantsa scored 40 points and set freshman tournament records.

News Intelligence

This isn't just a sports story. It's about resilience and teamwork. BYU's victory, even without key player Richie Saunders, shows that setbacks can be overcome. It's a reminder to us all: when life throws a curveball, keep swinging.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 12
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 12
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

AJ Dybantsa and the BYU basketball program gained immediate national exposure, record recognition and momentum heading further into the Big 12 Tournament after his 40-point performance and related statistical records.

Who Impacted

Kansas State suffered an early Big 12 Tournament elimination after the 105-91 loss, and BYU opponents facing Dybantsa now confront elevated scouting and defensive challenges.