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4h ago

Dybantsa Scores 21 as No. 8 BYU Tops Villanova 71-66 in Season Opener

A 21-point debut from AJ Dybantsa plus just four BYU turnovers proved decisive against a turnover-prone Villanova.

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 05: Tyler Perkins #4 of the Villanova Wildcats takes a foul shot during the semifinal round of the Crown College Basketball Championship against the UCF Knights at the T-Mobile Arena on April 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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BYU forward Keba Keita (13) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova , Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Overview

  • BYU turned 11 Villanova miscues into 17 points while limiting itself to four turnovers in the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena.
  • The Cougars saw a 14-point lead flip to a one-point deficit before closing strong, holding Villanova without a field goal for roughly six minutes late.
  • Finishing and rebounding remained trouble spots for BYU, which missed 15 layups, was outrebounded 49-43, and yielded 31 second-chance points.
  • Richie Saunders added 15 points and seven rebounds with his free-throw streak reaching 29, and Rob Wright III contributed 14 points.
  • Bryce Lindsay led Villanova with 22 points as Kevin Willard’s regular-season debut ended in defeat, with Christian Jeffrey scoring 11 and Duke Brennan posting eight points and 15 rebounds.