No. 22 BYU Survives Colorado in 90-86 OT Thriller

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The No. 22 BYU Cougars survived an upset attempt from the Colorado Buffaloes, winning 90-86 in overtime on Saturday. However, the victory was marred by an early injury to leading scorer Richie Saunders, whose status going forward is uncertain.

Why it matters

BYU was a heavy favorite heading into the game, but the loss of Saunders could be a major blow to their season if he is out for an extended period. The Cougars' ceiling and Big 12 title hopes may have taken a significant hit depending on the severity of Saunders' injury.

The details

Less than a minute into the game, Saunders landed awkwardly on his right foot and immediately clutched his right knee in pain. He had to be helped off the court and did not return. Without their second-leading scorer and veteran leader, BYU struggled to put away Colorado, leading by just 7 points with under 5 minutes left before the Buffaloes forced overtime. In the extra period, BYU's defense clamped down to secure the victory.

• The injury to Richie Saunders occurred less than a minute into the game on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
• BYU and Colorado went to overtime on February 14, 2026.

What’s next

The extent of Richie Saunders' injury will be a major focus in the coming days, as BYU awaits an update on his status and the potential impact it could have on the rest of their season.