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BYU forward Keba Keita (13) sticks out his tongue after a dunk during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Ian Maule, AP Photo

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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa smiles after a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Ian Maule, AP Photo

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Villanova guard Tyler Perkins (4) and BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) chase after a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Ian Maule, AP Photo

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At the important moments of BYU’s 71-65 victory against Villanova on Monday, BYU turned to the “Big Three” of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Rob Wright III to get the buckets.

For everything else, they turned to senior big man Keba Keita.

Keita’s line — eight points, seven rebounds, three blocks, one steal — don’t even begin to the tell the full story because it doesn’t take into account his intimidating scowl, crushing screens, athletic tips, scrambles for loose balls and whatever else the Cougars needed done.

“He’s a presence and a force and an anchor,” BYU coach Kevin Young told TNT after the game.

Keita’s impact didn’t go unnoticed but the main focus of the Cougars’ win in the Hall of Fame Classic Las Vegas was the debut of Dybantsa, the nation’s top freshman. Dybantsa didn’t disappoint, scoring 21 points and adding six rebounds and three assists. Dybantsa scored eight points in the final five minutes on four stunning drives to the basket as the Cougars held off Villanova for the win.

Saunders, who was ill and missed shootaround Monday morning, ended up with 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals and Wright had 14 points.

Villanova got a big game from James Madison transfer Bryce Lindsay, who scored 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half when the Wildcats reeled in a 14-point BYU lead. Villanova hit the offensive boards (it had 17) and outscored the Cougars in second-chance points 31-10.

BYU dominated most of the first half, leading by as many as 12 points at 33-21 after a Saunders 3-pointer. The Cougars led by 10, 42-32, at the break.

The lead reached 14, 46-32, on a Dybantsa drive early in the second half. Villanova slower pace and half court offense found a good rhythm and BYU started getting lost on defense. Lindsay got hot and a 3-pointer gave Villanova a 56-55 lead with 8:10 remaining. Lindsay’s fifth triple pushed his team out to a 59-57 lead but that was the Wildcats last basket for more than six minutes.

Dybantsa and Wright keyed a 10-0 Cougar run to claim a 67-59 advantage with 1:45 to play and they held on for their first victory of the season.

Keta provided plenty of highlights in the game, taking an alley-oop pass from Dybantsa for the dunk to open the scoring, slamming a put-back with one hand on the offensive end and sending a Villanova shot into the sixth row on the other end of the floor.

BYU (1-0) will play its home opener at the Marriott Center on Saturday against Holy Cross.