In a game that delivered every bit of the hype, 3rd-ranked UConn outlasted 7th-ranked BYU 86–84 in a November thriller that felt every bit like March. What looked like a comfortable Huskies victory turned into a heart-pounding finish as the Cougars mounted one of the most ferocious second-half comebacks of the young season.
Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa was nothing short of spectacular for BYU, pouring in 25 points and showing exactly why he’s considered one of the most electrifying newcomers in college basketball. His shot-making, poise, and late-game command nearly carried the Cougars to an improbable win.
UConn seemed in complete control early in the second half, leading by as many as 20. Their ball movement was crisp, their spacing clean, and their stars were rolling. Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed, and Silas Demary each dropped 21 points, giving the Huskies a balanced, steady attack that BYU struggled to slow down.
But once BYU found life, the game turned fast.
Behind Dybantsa’s scoring flurries, BYU cranked up the defensive pressure, sped UConn up, and started carving into the lead possession by possession. The Cougars stunned the arena by trimming the 20-point deficit down to single digits, then to a one-possession game in the final minute. Every loose ball felt like chaos. Every shot felt monumental.
And when BYU had one final push, it felt like momentum had fully flipped. If there had been just one more minute, the Cougars may very well have stolen the game. But the climb was simply too steep. UConn, battle-tested and composed, made just enough plays to survive the rally and escape with a narrow victory.
The season is young, but both teams left a statement.
BYU, even in defeat, showed the heart, toughness, and firepower of a legitimate national contender—especially with Dybantsa already playing like a star.
UConn, meanwhile, proved why they’re a top-three team: they can win with depth, balance, and unwavering poise when the pressure tightens.
The road doesn’t get any easier for either squad.
BYU heads into another test on Friday against 24th-ranked Wisconsin, looking to turn this near-comeback into momentum.
UConn gears up for a colossal matchup at home on Wednesday against 5th-ranked Arizona—a titanic early-season showdown that may feel just as big as tonight.
If this game was any indication, college basketball is in for a wild winter.