Dawson Baker returned to the BYU lineup on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, during an 86-71 victory against Montana State at the Marriott Center. Baker, a 6-foot-4 guard, scored two points in the second half, marking his first appearance in nearly a year following a knee injury sustained on Nov. 27.
The victory in front of 17,561 fans comes approximately two weeks shy of a year since Baker suffered a knee injury against Miami. Baker stated that he felt comfortable due to significant practice time and good repetitions leading into the game.
BYU head coach Kevin Young expressed satisfaction with Baker's return, noting that the team intends to be slow with his reintegration to ensure he reaches full strength. Young credited Intermountain Health for facilitating the recovery process for Baker and Richie Saunders.
Robert Wright III led the Cougars in scoring for the fourth consecutive game, recording 20 points, seven assists, and a career-high five steals. Other notable performances included Bruce Branch III, who added 17 points, and Jaxon Kohler, who finished with 12 points on perfect shooting.
Despite the win, BYU shot 54% from the foul line, making 13 of 24 attempts. The Cougars maintained a significant advantage in fast break points, outscoring the Bobcats 28-4, and outscored Montana State 46-24 in the paint.
Baker joined the Cougars in 2023 after playing three seasons at UC Irvine. He was a key contributor during the 2024-25 season, appearing in 36 games while averaging 7.6 points and shooting 38% from the 3-point line.
No. 23 BYU holds a 4-0 record and is scheduled to host Northern Colorado next Tuesday at the Marriott Center.
