Provo, Utah –
The Wildcats were too late getting their heads in the game No. 21 BYU men’s basketball escaped a late upset scare in a 72-66 win on Saturday night at the Marriott Center.
Kansas State (15-9, 5-6 Big 12) made a late second-half 11-0 run, which lasted two minutes and cut the lead to 64-59, but would be unsuccessful as BYU (17-6, 5-5 Big 12) forward Jaxson Robinson hit the dagger 3-pointer to seal the win for the Cougars.
Robinson would return to the bench (where he has played most of the season) as BYU head coach Mark Pope would adjust the starting line-up. The Senior Ada, Oklahoma finished the game with 12 points on 5-of-8 from the field, and dealing out two assists.
Fousseyni Traroe was the leading scoring for the Cougars adding 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks on 62% from the field.
The Wildcats second-half run, Arthur Kaluma scored 13 points. Kansas State as the Junior transfer would exit the game for what he said was a rolled ankle. He would finish the game leading all scorers with 18 and would be two rebounds shy of a double-double.
Both teams struggled to make shots all night, as neither team shot above 45% percentage. BYU shot 27-of-63, while Kansas State shot 25-of-58.
Aly Khalifa returned for the Cougars and had a nice sighting going 3-of-7 from the field, which included 2-for-2 from 3-point range. The Egyptian Magician had his magic shelled out six of BYU’s 18 assists.
BYU is currently in 7th in the Big 12 conference, and only two games out of first place.
BYU will stay in Provo and will now host UCF at the Marriott Center on Tuesday, February 14th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm MT. The game will be broadcast live on Big 12 now on ESPN+.
Postgame Sound:
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