DENVER — The drought is over.
BYU moved on from the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, winning its first Big Dance game since 2012. It also marked the Cougars' first round of 64 victory since 2011.
It wasn’t pretty, but the energy was there in an 80-71 win over VCU.
Former BYU stars were out to support the Cougars, including Taysom Hill, Danny Ainge, and March Madness legend Jimmer Fredette.
A sea of royal blue filled Ball Arena, seemingly more than its opponent.
Lots of blue in the stands here in Denver. pic.twitter.com/r7c8OSczih
— Daily Universe Sports (@DailyUnivSports) March 20, 2025
VCU’s heavy defensive pressure started right from the get-go, leading to an early turnover from Egor Demin. Both teams looked a little tense as they started the game, but after about three minutes of game time, it was business as usual for both teams.
VCU got to its spots whenever it wanted and attacked the offensive glass to start the game. All signs pointed towards BYU getting punched in the mouth and falling to a big deficit early.
That was until Demin got going.
Demin looked like a man on a mission from the tip. He had the hot hand to start the game scoring 11 quick points, including three quick 3s. Demin finished the game with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists.
VCU’s game plan seemed to be shooting a lot of 3s and crashing the offensive glass. In the first half, the Rams put up 16 3-pointers, making only four of them. The long rebounds that came from the misses were to an initial advantage, as VCU grabbed five offensive rebounds, but only managed to score two second-chance points.
The Cougars' defense was stifling on the Rams' leading scorer Max Shulga all afternoon. Shulga looked like he could never get comfortable as Mawot Mag and Trey Stewart took turns hounding him up and down the court. Normally averaging 15.1 points per game, Shulga was held to only 12 points on 4 of 10 shooting.
Opponents have struggled all season long to guard BYU's 10-man rotation. Thursday was no different as coach Kevin Young brought in wave after wave of fresh bodies to wear down the Rams.
Forward Richie Saunders said this was definitely an advantage for BYU.
“Our team, we're so deep. As you noticed ... a lot of the second unit was right in there making it happen," he said. "I love it because there are so many different tools that we can use as a team. We were playing fast, sharing the ball, which is BYU basketball right there."
The last three minutes of the first half was the point of the game that the Cougars looked to send a message and stretch the lead. BYU closed the half on a 12-2 run, which pushed BYU’s lead to 39-28 at halftime.
“The turnovers got us. We had a few turnovers there, empty possessions. In a game like this against a stellar team, can't afford to have those,” said VCU head coach Ryan Odom.
BYU opened the half with a 13-3 run in the first two minutes and appaeared to never look back. Young and staff found something they liked in the first half and went back to the well throughout the second half.
Denver is ROCKING after a quick 7-0 run from BYU. VCU timeout. pic.twitter.com/ykM7m03m92
— Daily Universe Sports (@DailyUnivSports) March 20, 2025
“You have to minimize the runs. I think they led for eight and change, we led for seven and change in the first half," Odom said. "That certainly ended up being a difference-maker there."
The ugly and yet beautiful truth of March Madness is that no lead is ever safe. VCU spent the majority of the second half climbing back into the game and shrinking the BYU lead. The Rams did so by connecting on 11 3-pointers in the second half.
However, VCU was worn down by the pace of the game and did all it could to slow the game down. BYU managed to finish out the game by executing in the half-court offense, scoring on over 60% of its possessions.
The Cougars controlled the paint all afternoon by outscoring the Rams 38-20 in the paint. BYU won the rebound battle 40-31, including 14 rebounds on the offensive glass.
The “Tater-tot king,” Saunders, led the way for BYU with 16 points on an efficient 6 of 12 shooting. Fousseyni Traore also had a big game on the bench with 13 points and nine rebounds.
“This tournament is like none other. It captivates America for good reason. Super grateful to be a part of it.” said Young on getting his first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
BYU will prepare to face Wisconsin in the second round Saturday in Denver.
“We're not ready to be done. We're ready to keep moving forward,” Saunders said.