Anna 
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team stunned No. 23 Kansas with a commanding 91-57 victory, putting on an unforgettable performance that will go down in Cougar history.
Trevin Knell set the tone early, hitting two three-pointers to help BYU jump to a 13-5 lead. From there, the Cougars never looked back.
Here are some key takeaways from the game:
Richie Saunders Shines as the Game’s Best Player
Richie Saunders was the standout player of the night. Under head coach Kevin Young, Saunders has shown remarkable improvement. After starting just three games in his first two years at BYU, he has started all 26 games this season.
Saunders played out of position under former head coach Mark Pope, but his offensive game has flourished under Young. Against Kansas, he scored a game-high 22 points, making 4 of 8 three-pointers and hitting all five of his shots inside the paint. Saunders has become one of the most consistent shooters on the team, and his overall scoring is up by six points per game this season. His three-point shooting has also improved, climbing to over 42 percent.
Saunders’ ability to maintain this level of performance, even with increased attention from opposing teams, is a testament to his work ethic and growth under Young’s coaching.
BYU’s Offensive Efficiency
The Cougars played their best offensive game of the season, effortlessly finding open shots against Kansas. They assisted on 24 of their 34 field goals and turned the ball over just 10 times. In the first half, BYU assisted on all 15 of their made shots.
Dallin Hall led the team with eight assists and added 10 points. Hall was one of five BYU players who scored in double figures, with six players shooting over 50 percent from the field. Despite Kansas’ strong defensive reputation, the Cougars shot an impressive 51.5 percent for the game.
The Marriott Center Roars
BYU fans turned out in full force, showing their passion and energy for a marquee conference game against Kansas. The atmosphere at the Marriott Center was electric, with ESPN analyst Sean Farnham even highlighting the student section, known as the ROC, as one of the best in college basketball.
BYU went into halftime with a commanding 20-point lead, the largest halftime deficit Kansas has faced this season. The Cougars extended their lead to as much as 38 points in the second half, securing an emphatic win.
BYU head coach Kevin Young joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter following the game, celebrating the victory. Nights like this remind fans that the Marriott Center remains one of the top venues in college basketball, and it’s thrilling to see it showcased on a national stage.
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