LAWRENCE, Kan. — No. 13 BYU fell to the No. 14 Jayhawks 90-82 on Saturday evening at the Allen Fieldhouse despite Richie Saunders career night.
After trailing by 20 at halftime, BYU outscored Kansas 49-37 in the second half, led by Saunders’ 24 points in the frame. The senior went 7-of-11 from the field, including five 3-pointers in the second half. Saunders earned his fourth-career double-double with his career-high 33 points and 10 rebounds. He added two assists, two steals and one block.
Robert Wright III and AJ Dybantsa finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively. The duo each made two shots from three and Wright III also recorded six rebounds. Dybantsa’s 17 points tonight marks the third-longest streak to start a career in Big 12 history, as the freshman has reached double figures in every game of his collegiate career.
Keba Keita posted nine points, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal. The Bamako, Mali product went 4-of-6 from the field.
First Half
BYU stopped Kansas on back-to-back possessions, first on a Saunders takeaway, followed by Keita denying a shot, which led to a Saunders 3-pointer. Darryn Peterson then fueled a Jayhawks 11-4 run to push the lead to 12-7 at the first media timeout.
After more than two minutes scoreless for BYU, Keita and Wright III each scored before another Cougar drought followed. Saunders ended the slump with a layup but Kansas stayed hot, using a 12-2 spurt to extend its lead to 29-14 with 9:40 left.
The Jayhawks held BYU scoreless for more than five minutes before Dybantsa snapped it with a three from wing off an assist from Wright III. Less than two minutes later, the sophomore scored BYU’s next five points with a 3-ball and a jumper. Kansas’ Bryson Tiller then hit two-straight 3-pointers to push the largest advantage of the game to 21.
After another Wright III 3-pointer, the Jayhawks responded with one of their own, adding to their 9-of-11 from behind the arc. Dybantsa and Keita each added a two-point basket to close the half, but Kansas stayed ahead by 20, 53-33, going into the locker room.
Second Half
Saunders gave BYU an early lift to open the second half, scoring on a layup before adding a contested dunk three minutes later. The Riverton, Utah product then knocked down a corner 3-pointer a minute later and converted the four-point play after drawing a foul, cutting the Jayhawks’ lead to 60-46, the lowest deficit since halfway through the first half.
Tiller led a 6-0 Kansas run with two-straight dunks, while BYU struggled from 3-point range. Dybantsa answered with a 5-0 personal stretch, hitting a jumper and drawing two fouls. Saunders capped the run at 7-0 with two charity shots with 11:16 remaining.
Senior Saunders kept up his momentum, hitting two threes in just over a minute. Both teams then went scoreless for a stretch, but Saunders ended BYU’s drought with another 3-ball off an assist from Kennard Davis Jr. with 6:21 left.
Richie hits 30. Cougs fighting!!
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) January 31, 2026
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A Wright III jumper, a Saunders 3-pointer and two forced Kansas turnovers fueled an 11-2 Cougar run, cutting the deficit to nine. After two Jayhawk free throws, Khadim Mboup made a 3-pointer, and on Kansas’ next possession, Keita blocked a Melvin Council Jr. attempt, with Dybantsa converting the defensive stand into a layup. Wright III added two free throws, bringing BYU within 82-78 and forcing a Kansas timeout with 1:11 remaining.
The Cougars’ comeback attempt ended as a Jayhawk jumper and two free throws restored the lead to eight. Keita and Wright III each made a layup to close the game, but BYU fell 90-82.
Up Next
The Cougars continue their road stretch in Stillwater, Okla. for a matchup against Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. MST. Watch broadcast live on FS1 or listen to live play-by-play with Greg Wrubell on BYU Radio.