{"id":4916,"date":"2026-01-26T18:44:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/sports\/dybantsa-sets-byu-freshman-scoring-record-as-cougars-cruise\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T18:44:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:44:42","slug":"dybantsa-sets-byu-freshman-scoring-record-as-cougars-cruise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/sports\/dybantsa-sets-byu-freshman-scoring-record-as-cougars-cruise\/","title":{"rendered":"Dybantsa sets BYU freshman scoring record as Cougars cruise"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
Jan 24, 2026, 08:29 PM ET<\/span><\/div>\n

PROVO, Utah — AJ Dybantsa<\/a> scored 43 points to break BYU<\/a>‘s freshman scoring record, leading the No. 13 Cougars to a 91-78 victory<\/a> over Utah<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n

He went 15-for-24 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line for his first 40-point game. Dybantsa, who passed Danny Ainge<\/a>‘s record for points in a game by a BYU freshman, added six rebounds, three assists and blocked a shot.<\/p>\n

“It feels good to break any record — if it was Danny’s or not,” Dybantsa said. “I just thank my teammates for just giving me the ball in the right spots. God was on my side. I was hitting shots.”<\/p>\n

He also added to a memorable day for some of the nation’s top first-year players. Dybantsa became the third player on an Associated Press-ranked team to eclipse 40 points Saturday. According to ESPN Research, it was just the third time that has happened on a single day, joining Feb. 10, 1990, and Feb. 23, 1970.<\/p>\n

“He is a generational talent, and he showed what he’s capable of tonight,” Utah coach Alex Jensen said of Dybantsa. “There’s no telling how good he can get.”<\/p>\n

Robert Wright III<\/a> finished with 21 points, and Richie Saunders<\/a> added 12 to help the Cougars (17-2, 5-1 Big 12) bounce back from an 84-71 loss to Texas Tech<\/a> a week earlier. BYU shot 60% in the second half to pull away in its final test before facing No. 1 Arizona<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n

Keanu Dawes<\/a> led Utah with 23 points and six rebounds. Terrence Brown<\/a> chipped in 22 points and Don McHenry<\/a> added 16 for the Utes (9-11, 1-6), who shot 62% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n