PORTLAND, Ore. — AJ Dybantsa’s 35 points could not will the Cougars to a win as BYU’s season came to an end Thursday night in Portland at the hands of the Texas Longhorns.
After a slow start in the first half, Texas jumped out to a double-digit lead to which BYU responded, taking a one point lead at 21-20 — but it was short lived as the Longhorns swiftly retook the lead and never looked back.
Led by 23 points and 16 rebounds from 7-foot Matas Vokietaitis, the Longhorns controlled the boards and, as a result, the game.
In the first half, Vokietaitis dominated BYU’s undersized big men on the boards as he matched BYU’s team rebounds with 11, seven of which were offensive.
“I was disappointed in our first half defensive effort, intensity and rebounding. We knew the game was going to be won there. That's all we talked about, was the rebounding coming into the game,” coach Kevin Young said. “That was a little disappointing (to lose the rebound battle). Not a little, a lot disappointing.”
Texas also received a healthy dose of scoring from its team as four Longhorns finished in double-digit scoring compared to only two Cougars with double-digit points. Outside of Dybantsa, Rob Wright and Kennard Davis, BYU received zero points in the first half.
“We knew (Dybantsa) was going to score,” Texas coach Sean Miller said. “The key for us, in addition to just him, is not allowing everybody else to join in. That truly was our true game plan.”
Mission accomplished for Miller and crew.
The all-too-familiar story where Dybantsa — and maybe Wright — stuff the stat sheet, but receive little assistance from the supporting cast was on full display as it found itself in a 17-point hole midway through the second half.
After Dybantsa, who finished with 35 points, had a chase down block that was called goaltending, BYU started its run to make it a game towards the end.
BYU had the ball multiple times, only down four points at the end of the game, but had poor possessions back-to-back, with a turnover out of bounds and a Dybantsa blocked shot.
It was a comeback effort that BYU fans had seen fall short many times throughout the season.
Ultimately, the lack of size underneath and the lack of talent outside Dybantsa and Wright were the demise of Young’s second season at the helm.
Looking forward, the Cougars will wait and see what Wright, Davis and others decide when it comes to staying at BYU or not. It could be a very different squad next season after losing beloved senior Richie Saunders, as well as Keba Keita and likely Dybantsa to the NBA draft.