BYU Upsets No. 6 Iowa State Behind Dybantsa's Near Triple-Double

No. 23 BYU takes down the Cyclones in Big 12 matchup

Feb. 22, 2026 at 12:10pm

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AJ Dybantsa recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead No. 23 BYU to a 79-69 upset victory over No. 6 Iowa State on Saturday night in Big 12 play. Kennard Davis Jr. scored 17 points for the Cougars, who improved to 11-2 at home. Tamin Lipsey scored 19 points and Jamarion Batemon added 14 off the bench for Iowa State, which was coming off consecutive Top-10 wins.

Why it matters

This win is a significant upset for BYU, as they were able to take down a top-ranked Iowa State team that had been on a roll. It showcases BYU's ability to compete with the best teams in the Big 12 conference, even after losing a key player to injury earlier in the season.

The details

BYU shot 50% from the field, including 7-of-25 from 3-point range, and held a 39-28 advantage on the boards. The Cougars responded to a late Iowa State run with a 10-1 burst to pull away in the final minutes. Dybantsa had 14 first-half points as BYU led 39-30 at the break.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • BYU led 39-30 at halftime.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

A standout player for BYU who recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in the upset win.

Kennard Davis Jr.

Scored 17 points for BYU in the victory.

Tamin Lipsey

Led Iowa State with 19 points in the loss.

Jamarion Batemon

Came off the bench to score 14 points for Iowa State.

Joshua Jefferson

Contributed 13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the Cyclones.

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The takeaway

BYU's upset victory over No. 6 Iowa State demonstrates the team's ability to compete with the top programs in the Big 12, even after losing a key player earlier in the season. This win could be a momentum-shifting moment for the Cougars as they look to make a strong push in the conference standings.