BYU Rallies Past Dayton Behind Strong Second-Half Push

BYU 83, Dayton 79 — State Farm Fieldhouse, Kissimmee, FL

November 28, 2025

BYU overcame a sluggish first half and a hot shooting night from Dayton to secure an 83–79 comeback win at the State Farm Fieldhouse. The Cougars trailed 36–30 at halftime after Dayton’s perimeter attack caught fire early, but Kevin Young's group responded with a composed, physical second-half surge that flipped the game.

Dayton guard Javon Bennett set the tone early, erupting for 17 first-half points on 5–of–8 shooting from three. The Flyers blitzed BYU with pace and shot-making out of the gate, and their defensive attention on AJ Dybantsa successfully limited the Cougars’ star freshman to just one made basket in the opening half.

Still, BYU never allowed the game to slip too far away. Steady point guard play from Rob Wright III and timely scoring from Richie Saunders helped keep the Cougars within range before their defense and shot creation broke the game open in the final 20 minutes.

Game Flow & Key Moments

Dayton controlled the early minutes, spacing the floor and forcing BYU rotations to chase. With Bennett scorching from deep and the Cougars' offense struggling to find rhythm, the Flyers carried momentum into the break.

The second half flipped quickly. BYU tightened defensively, rotated with purpose, and took away clean perimeter looks. On the other end, Dybantsa got downhill more consistently, Saunders found space as an off-ball mover, and Wright dictated tempo.

Midway through the half, BYU built a 13-point lead and held control from there, leaning on its guard play and improved defensive execution to close out the win

Prospect Evaluations

Rob Wright III — G, BYU

Wright played with the composure and command of a veteran point guard. He stabilized BYU's offense early when scoring opportunities were scarce, finishing the first half with eight points and three assists, and continued to dictate tempo throughout. Wright’s strength lies in his feel: he knows when to organize, when to push, and when to look for his own offense. He knocked down shots in rhythm, created advantages out of pick-and-roll, and consistently made the right reads. His ability to take ownership of possessions when needed, while still elevating teammates, was pivotal in BYU’s comeback. A rock-solid performance from a guard built to win possessions.

Richie Saunders — G/F, BYU

Saunders’ off-ball activity was a major factor in BYU’s second-half turnaround. He knocked down two threes early, and although he cooled late in the first half, he continued to find the right spots as a mover and cutter. His shooting mechanics remain a differentiator; elevating cleanly and releasing at his apex gives him a high, difficult-to-contest release point. The two rushed misses before halftime stood out, but he settled back into form as BYU ramped up its ball movement. Efficient, reliable, and able to impact spacing without hijacking possessions, Saunders remains an important piece for the Cougars. The ongoing evaluation: has he peaked as a prospect, or is there more to unlock?

AJ Dybantsa — F, BYU

Dayton threw bodies and schemes at Dybantsa early, and for the most part, it worked; one made field goal in the first half. But everything changed after the break. BYU shifted him into more motion actions, got him downhill, and created mismatches he could exploit. The result was a noticeable shift in presence and production. He hit a three early in the second half to give BYU its first lead, attacked the paint with power, and used his frame to finish through contact. The talkative, energetic demeanor he opened with faded as BYU fell behind, but once he got going, he let his game speak loudly. Between his physical tools, toughness, and ability to take over stretches, he showed exactly why evaluators view him as a top-tier prospect.

Final Thoughts

BYU showed resilience and adaptability in a game that easily could have tilted the other way. Dayton’s early shot-making forced the Cougars to respond, and their second-half adjustments, defensively and through improved spacing and decision-making, proved decisive.

For scouts, this matchup offered a strong snapshot of BYU’s prospect trio:

• Wright continues to impress with feel, pacing, and leadership.

• Saunders remains a consistent, efficient piece who understands how to complement star talent.

• Dybantsa reinforced both his floor and ceiling, quiet stretches included, by taking over when it mattered most.

  
  

A competitive, high-quality matchup with meaningful takeaways across the board.