Overview
- BYU closed with a decisive 10-0 run and held Villanova without a field goal for nearly five minutes to secure the Hall of Fame Series victory in Las Vegas.
- Freshman AJ Dybantsa scored 13 of his 21 points after halftime, repeatedly attacking the rim late as BYU turned a two-point deficit into control.
- Richie Saunders added 15 points with seven rebounds and extended his free-throw streak to 29, while Robert Wright III scored 14 in his Cougars debut.
- Keba Keita’s interior presence proved pivotal with eight points, seven boards and three blocks, offsetting issues that included a 49-43 rebounding deficit and 31 Villanova second-chance points.
- Only four turnovers (17 points off takeaways) highlighted BYU’s composure; separate reporting continues to cite a large but unconfirmed NIL package for Dybantsa as he also boosts relief efforts for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.