BYU Cougars Outlast Iowa State Cyclones in Double Overtime Drama

In a nail-biting encounter that stretched into double overtime, the Brigham Young University Cougars emerged victorious against the Iowa State Cyclones with an 88-85 win. This victory at James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames saw the Cougars improve their record to 23-0, while the Cyclones fell to 10-1. The game was a showcase of resilience and determination, with both teams pushing each other to their limits.

Cougars' Key Performances

Richie Saunders led the charge for BYU with an impressive 23 points, bolstered by his perfect free throw percentage and six rebounds. His performance was pivotal in securing this hard-fought victory for his team. Dallin Hall also made significant contributions with 22 points and five rebounds, demonstrating his ability as a clutch player in critical moments of the game. Keba Keita dominated defensively for BYU, pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking three shots, which was crucial in limiting second-chance opportunities for Iowa State.

The Cougars showcased their depth with contributions across the board. Their bench added a substantial 33 points to the team's total score, highlighting their collective effort and teamwork. Despite facing challenges such as high turnovers at 29 for the game, BYU's defensive efforts were notable with eight steals and five blocks.

Cyclones' Standout Moments

Iowa State fought valiantly throughout the match, led by their aggressive defense that resulted in 18 steals. Their resilience saw them erase a significant deficit to tie up scores multiple times during regulation play before forcing two overtimes. The Cyclones capitalized on turnovers scoring an impressive 34 points off BYU's mistakes but ultimately fell short in double overtime.

Their free throw accuracy stood out as they converted 87 percent of their attempts from the line compared to BYU's solid but lower rate of 81 percent from free throws.

Looking Ahead

The Brigham Young University Cougars will next host Utah Utes at Marriott Center in Provo on March 8th at 10:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all action live on ESPNU as both teams prepare for another exciting matchup.

This intense double-overtime victory not only adds another win to BYU’s record but also sets up an intriguing storyline heading into future games this season.