1 / 5

BYU guard Robert Wright III , left and forward AJ Dybantsa, right, reacts after defeating Clemson an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York.

Noah K. Murray, AP Photo

2 / 5

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) makes the game winning shot against Clemson guard Efrem Johnson (4) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York.

Noah K. Murray, AP Photo

3 / 5

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots over Clemson forward Jake Wahlin (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York.

Noah K. Murray, AP Photo

4 / 5

BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) blocks the shot of Clemson center Carter Welling (22) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York.

Noah K. Murray, AP Photo

5 / 5

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) drives to the basket between Clemson forward Chase Thompson (3) guard Zac Foster (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York.

Noah K. Murray, AP Photo

❮ ❯

Venerable Madison Square Garden, one of most iconic arenas in the world, opened in 1968 and has seen plenty of great basketball games in its 57 years of existence.

There probably aren’t many that can top what happened Tuesday night between No. 10 BYU and Clemson.

Robert Wright III hit a running 3-pointer to beat the final buzzer, capping an remarkable second-half comeback as the Cougars topped the Tigers 67-64 in the Jimmy V Classic.

BYU trailed by 22 points with 19:50 to play, outscoring Clemson 45-20 for the largest second half comeback in school history.

Clemson tied the game at 64-all with 5.4 seconds to play on a basket by Dillon Hunter. BYU called time out, advanced the ball from the end line to the front court and called another time out with 1.3 seconds remaining.

Mahailo Boskovic triggered the inbounds play from the sideline, feeding Wright on the run from the backcourt. Wright split two defenders, leaning into a 3-pointer that hit nothing but net as the buzzer sounded. His teammates raced onto the floor and celebrated with Wright in the corner of the court.

Freshman AJ Dybantsa was special in the second half, scoring 22 of his career-high 28 points. He absolutely took over as a playmaker in the final eight minutes, scoring nine points and dishing out four assists. Dybantsa perfectly executed back-to-back pick-and-roll alley oops to Keba Keita and BYU took a 55-54 lead with 3:15 to go. The Cougars took a 62-56 advantage when Dybantsa drove the middle and threw down a soaring one-handed dunk with 1:08 remaining.

Clemson wasn’t done, though, because Wright missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with a two-point lead and 13.4 seconds on the clock. Hunter raced down the floor and banked in a layup for the tie to set up the final moments.

Dybantsa also logged career bests in rebounds (nine) and assists (six). Wright ended up with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Keita contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals to make up for a tough night from Richie Saunders, who scored just five points on 2 of 11 from the field and 0 for 7 from the 3-point line.

BU shot 53.3% in the second half (16-30) after making just 29% (9 of 32) in the first half.

Wright made a 3-pointer with just under seven minutes to play in the first half to forge a 22-22 tie, but Clemson finished on a 21-0 run, sinking shots from all over the court while BYU came apart offensively and missed ten straight shots. BYU clanked two open looks in the final minute and trailed 43-22 at halftime. The Tigers led 44-22 early in the second half after making a free throw, only to see BYU go on a 20-3 blitz to roar back into the game.

Jestin Porter led Clemson with 17 points, 14 in the first half, and made 5 of 9 from the 3-point line. Former Utah Valley standout Carter Welling finished with nine points and six rebounds. Jake Wahlin, who played at Timpview and originally committed to BYU before serving a church mission, contributed one points and four rebounds.

BYU (8-1) took advantage of a final chance to raise its NET ranking until Big 12 play against Clemson (26th). The Cougars finish their non-conference schedule with four home games against UC Riverside (208), Pacific (85), Abilene Christian (215) and Eastern Washington (261).