BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) passes the ball past Arizona State Sun Devils defenders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
It’s official: Kevin Young is undefeated in the Big 12.
Young’s BYU team opened the conference portion of its schedule Tuesday against Arizona State, earning a convincing 76-56 victory over the Sun Devils in Provo.
3 takeaways
Richie Saunders played one of the best matches of his career. Returning to the field for the first time since suffering a concussion on Dec. 14, Saunders looked far from rusty.
He led the Cougars in scoring with 30 points – a career high – and made 6 of 11 3-pointers.
Additionally, Saunders grabbed six rebounds and showed his standard defensive toughness with a block, a steal and five saves.
BYU dominates Arizona State in Provo. Cougars improve to 10-2
Richie Saunders is one of the most underrated players in the sport – 30 points on 11-18 and 6-11 on 3 in the win. We don’t talk about it enough.
BYU looked much more capable defensively. The Cougars held Arizona State to 56 points, 37% shooting from the field and 21% from 3-point range – all a far cry from the Sun Devils’ previous season averages of 78.5 points and 45.9 shooting. % and 38.5%, respectively. .
Egor Demin and Dallin Hall each had two steals, while Saunders, Keba Keita and Kanon Catchings each recorded blocks.
The Cougars also continued their dominance on the boards, winning the rebounding battle by a margin of 38-28.
Egor Demin continued to fight. He enjoyed some solid flashes in his first appearance since Dec. 3, but Demin’s performance against Arizona State still seemed somewhat worrisome.
BYU Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) and Arizona State Sun Devils forward Jayden Quaintance (21) compete for possession of a loose ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) drives the ball toward the basket while guarded by Arizona State Sun Devils guard Joson Sanon (3) and guard Amier Ali (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held Tuesday at the Marriott Center in Provo. December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) grabs an offensive rebound while guarded by Arizona State Sun Devils center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) and guard Alston Mason (1) during n an NCAA men’s basketball game held Tuesday at the Marriott Center in Provo. , December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) blocks a shot by Arizona State Sun Devils guard Alston Mason (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) takes and scores a three-pointer while guarded by Arizona State Sun Devils guard Amier Ali (5) for Saunders’ 30th point of a game in NCAA men’s basketball tournament held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) shoots the ball while guarded by Arizona State Sun Devils guard Adam Miller (44) during an NCAA men’s basketball game which was held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars players surround forward Richie Saunders (15) after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils in an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday December 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) high-fives fans after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils in an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday 31 December 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
The talented freshman scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting, including going 0-of-5 from distance. Demin led BYU with seven assists on the afternoon, but his stat line included five nasty turnovers.
In his last three games, Demin averaged just six points and shot 5 of 25 from the field and 0 of 12 from 3-point range. As the Cougars head down the difficult road to Big 12 play, getting Demin out of his current slump is a top priority.
