BYU gets a much-needed confidence boost with win over No. 10 Texas Tech

Cougars snap three-game losing skid, grab some valuable momentum heading into Tuesday's Big 12 tournament game against Kansas State

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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BYU overcame an absolutely torrid Texas Tech shooting display in the first half and an eight-point deficit at the break to rally past the Red Raiders 82-76 on Senior Night in front of a sellout crowd of 18,104. The win was a much-needed confidence boost for the struggling Cougars, who had lost three straight games and were being accused of perhaps packing it in since the loss of superstar Richie Saunders.

Why it matters

Saturday night's rematch with No. 10 Texas Tech wasn't a must-win situation for BYU, but it felt like it to coach Kevin Young and his confidence-depleted team. The win over the highly ranked Red Raiders could provide the Cougars with valuable momentum heading into the Big 12 tournament, where they will face Kansas State in the opening round.

The details

BYU point guard Rob Wright III made a 3-point play on BYU's first possession of the second half to spark the comeback, and he finished with a game-high 27 points on 9 of 17 shooting. Kennard 'Moo' Davis Jr., who had been struggling mightily, also came up big with 16 points, including a key 3-pointer late in the game. BYU's defense also improved in the second half, with center Keba Keita's perimeter defense on Texas Tech's 3-point shooters completely changing the game.

  • BYU will face No. 15 seed Kansas State on Tuesday (5 p.m. MST) at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament.

The players

Rob Wright III

BYU's point guard, who made a 3-point play on BYU's first possession of the second half to spark the comeback and finished with a game-high 27 points.

Kennard 'Moo' Davis Jr.

A BYU guard who had been struggling mightily but came up big with 16 points, including a key 3-pointer late in the game.

Keba Keita

BYU's center, whose perimeter defense on Texas Tech's 3-point shooters completely changed the game in the second half.

AJ Dybantsa

A BYU freshman forward who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists despite making just 8 of 25 shots.

Kevin Young

BYU's head coach, who was proud of his team's grit and fortitude in beating a highly ranked opponent after a difficult stretch.

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What they’re saying

“I am just proud of our guys, because it has been an adversity filled season. … Given where we currently are, coming off that road trip, off that UCF fiasco, to have the grit and fortitude to beat a really good team (was special).”

— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach (Deseret News)

“I think that one might be No. 1.”

— Rob Wright III, BYU Guard (Deseret News)

“Credit to BYU. Great win. What a great environment. It is not like they have been playing their best basketball.”

— Grant McCasland, Texas Tech Head Coach (Deseret News)

What’s next

The winner of Tuesday's BYU-Kansas State game will meet No. 7 seed West Virginia on Wednesday in the Big 12 tournament.

The takeaway

This win could be a turning point for BYU, providing the team with a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult stretch. The Cougars showed grit and determination in rallying past the highly ranked Red Raiders, and the performance could be a springboard for success in the Big 12 tournament and beyond.