BYU came into Saturday’s matchup in what felt like a must-win game.
While it may not have been full desperation time for the Cougars, a win Saturday would mark their first ‘signature’ win of the season — and more importantly, prove to themselves that they can beat the nation’s top teams as March approaches and opportunities dwindle.
In previous eras, chances like Iowa State didn’t come around often. Most recently, in the WCC, the Cougars would battle Gonzaga twice a year and potentially a third in the conference tournament, and that was it.
However, it’s a different ordeal in the Big 12. Entering Saturday night, BYU sat at 5-6 in Quad 1 games, losing all six of what could’ve been "signature’" wins against the likes of Uconn, Texas Tech, Arizona (twice), Kansas and Houston.
As mentioned, it felt like do-or-die for this BYU squad — and it showed. The energy was different for BYU than it had been in prior big games in the first half. Instead of digging itself into a hole in the first half and needing to work its way back into the game, the Cougars were scratching and clawing for every rebound and playing with more intensity on the defensive end — a refreshing start to what Cougar fans are used to seeing.
BYU capped that effort with a 13-0 run towards the end of the first half that tilted the game in BYU’s favor.
Khadim Mboup set the tone with nine rebounds — three of which were on the offensive end. He was also disruptive defensively.
Against a Cyclone team that prides itself on physicality, BYU came out and beat Iowa State at its own game.
Coach Kevin Young loved the fight his team exhibited.
“We’ve faced a lot of adversity, and you know, no one's blinked. Honestly, they've stayed together, and they’ve kept working,” Young said. “So in terms of the fight, you have to have the fight and the belief behind the fight.”
The Cougars had that belief. Despite losing its previous five opportunities for a statement win, the belief was there in the hustle and defensive effort.
BYU got a big lift from its star, AJ Dybantsa, who rose up for the tall task of guarding Milan Momcilovic — a 51.3 percent 3-point shooter. Dybantsa held Momcilovic to just 1 of 5 for only five points.
“I mean, it's a tough guard, I'm not used to running around a lot of screens, but I just decided to take the challenge and try to eliminate his 3-point attempts, not just makes,” Dybantsa said.
It also helped that Momcilovic was in foul trouble in the second half, although he still ended up playing 25 minutes.
Even with such a difficult task on defense, Dybantsa wasn’t slowed down any on the offensive side. Shooting 10-of-17, good for 29 points, snagged 10 rebounds and finished one assist shy of recording a triple-double.
The supporting cast also showed out for BYU as Mihailo Boskovic and Kennard Davis both combined for thirty points — shooting 11-of-24. Young praised their readiness.
“Those guys understand that with Richie out now, their numbers are gonna get called more,” he said. “They get all the credit because they've stayed ready and they've been able to deliver.”
While Rob Wright didn’t seem to have a night he’s usually accustomed to having, Young highlighted Wright’s and Dybantsa’s ball security against a Cyclone team that likes to turn the ball over.
“They both played 40 minutes each against a team who has the highest turnover percentage defensively in the country, and (Dybantsa and Wright) had 13 assists and three turnovers,” Young said. “I mean, that and the rebounding is why we won the game. Bottom line.”
With a complete team performance on both ends, it is difficult to count out BYU as it looks to build momentum with four regular-season games remaining.