Cougars ride big second half to 72-62 win against Miami
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- BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives against Miami guard Tru Washington (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Kissimmee, Fla.
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- BYU center Keba Keita, right, looks to shoot in front of Miami guard Tre Donaldson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Kissimmee, Fla.
Welcome back, Kennard Davis Jr.
The transfer guard sat out the past two games due to legal troubles and a team suspension, but returned for BYU’s opening game at the Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla., on Thursday with a strong performance: A BYU career-high 18 points on 7 of 10 from the field (4 of 7 from the 3-point line) along with five rebounds in a 72-62 Cougar victory against Miami.
Davis, who pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge last week, warmed up with the team as the school’s athletic department released a statement: “After serving a two-game suspension, Kennard Davis will return to the BYU lineup for the Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational.”
Before the game during his appearance on BYU Radio, Cougar head coach Kevin Young said, “We’re excited to have him back … guys stepped up when he was out, but we’re looking forward to having him back in the lineup.”
Rob Wright III contributed 17 points and freshman AJ Dybantsa recorded 16 as the Cougars recovered from a four-point halftime deficit with a stifling defense and better offensive flow against the Hurricanes.
Trailing 33-29 at the break, BYU opened the second half by making 6 of 8 from the field and seizing a 44-40 lead. A 3-point play from Dybantsa and Davis’ break score pushed the Cougars advantage to nine, 49-40, with 14:16 remaining.
Meanwhile, BYU’s defense held Miami scoreless for five minutes and without a basket for six minutes, slipping into a zone that kept the Hurricanes off balance. The Cougars led by as many as 14 points and kept Miami at bay to advance to the championship game of the event.
Keba Keita only scored six points but impacted the game on the boards and on defense, pulling down ten rebounds and blocking seven shots.
It was BYU’s sixth straight win against an ACC opponent.
The first half showed a lot of activity from both teams but not a lot of efficiency. Miami’s NBA-level hand check game bothered the Cougars and disrupted their offense. There were five ties and eight lead changes in the first 20 minutes. The Cougars got out to a 17-12 lead on an 8-0 run — Saunders and Dominique Diamonde made 3-pointers and Wright hit a pull-up – but the Hurricanes reeled the Cougars back in quickly. A late 7-0 run gave Miami a 33-27 lead but Wright’s dropped in a layup to beat the buzzer and BYU trailed 33-29 at the half.
BYU’s big three of Dybantsa, Saunders and Wright – the third-highest scoring trio in college basketball at almost 58 points per game — combined for just 13 points and 6-23 (23%) from the field in the first half. Davis led the Cougars with seven points in the first half.
Dybantsa, Saunders and Wright ended up combining for 41 points on 13 of 37 (35%) from the field.
Malik Reneau led Miami (5-2) with 14 points and Shelton Henderson added 13.
The Cougars (5-1) will play the winner of the second game at the event, Dayton vs. Georgetown, on Friday at 5or 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN or ESPN2.
