No. 25 BYU overcame an early double-digit deficit to defeat Ohio State 94-83 on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in the Bad Boy Mowers Classic at the Delta Center. Robert Wright III scored a game-high 33 points to lead the Cougars to their eighth straight season-opening victory in Salt Lake City.
Wright III Leads Balanced Attack
Wright III, a preseason All-American, scored 19 of his 33 points during the second half, shooting 9-for-15 from the field, 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and 11-for-12 from the free-throw line. The performance helped BYU overcome a halftime deficit and secure a decisive victory.
The Cougars demonstrated a balanced offensive attack, with five players scoring in double figures. Newcomer Collin Chandler contributed 15 points, including a dunk during the game's critical moments. Tyler Betsey also finished with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, while Jaxson Kohler and Bruce Branch III added 11 and 12 points, respectively.
Competitive First Half
The game was highly competitive in the first half, with Ohio State holding a 37-34 lead at the break. The Buckeyes established an early advantage, leading by as much as 10 points following an initial 20-20 run. Amare Bynum led Ohio State with 20 points during the contest.
BYU struggled early, opening the game 2-for-10 from 3-point range. Despite trailing by as much as 11 points in the first half, the Cougars remained within striking distance, entering the locker room just three points behind the Buckeyes. Ohio State's John Mobley Jr., playing after recovering from an injury in a previous exhibition game against Butler, contributed 14 points before fouling out with 4:59 remaining in the game.
Second Half Surge
The Cougars shifted the momentum in the second half, outscoring the Buckeyes 60-46. BYU displayed high efficiency in the final two quarters, shooting 69.0 percent from the field and 70.0 percent from behind the arc. The Cougars also converted 86.7 percent of their free throws in the second half.
After the teams were tied at 50-50, BYU executed a 7-0 run to grab a 67-59 lead with 9:30 remaining. Although the Buckeyes managed to cut the deficit to 73-67 with 4:48 left, the Cougars maintained control for the remainder of the game, leading by between seven and 10 points.
Coaches React to Deficit
Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler expressed disappointment regarding the outcome, noting the team held a halftime lead. Diebler attributed the loss to mental errors and execution issues during lineup shifts and foul situations.
"I think we showed what we were capable of in the first half," Diebler said via Zoom. "The lack of execution and communication errors, certainly as we started shuffling lineups and things around as the fouls became an issue, certainly as we started shuffling lineups and things around the fouls became an issue, we gave them too many easy looks."
Diebler noted that while the team showed fight, they struggled to secure defensive stops in the closing minutes of the game.
Statistical Breakdown
Statistical comparisons show nearly identical performance levels between the two teams despite the final score. BYU shot 54.4 percent from the field, while Ohio State shot 49.1 percent. BYU also held a slight advantage in 3-point shooting, converting 11-of-24 attempts compared to Ohio State's 9-of-28.
While Ohio State won the rebounding battle 31-30 and recorded more steals (6-3) and blocks (3-0), they also committed 12 turnovers compared to BYU's 8. Amare Bynum briefly left the game at the start of the second half due to a suspected rolled right ankle but returned to play shortly after.
Looking Ahead
The win marks the 50th career victory for BYU head coach Kevin Young, who remains perfect in season debuts. The Cougars' next matchup will be their home opener against Omaha at the Marriott Center on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. MT.
Historical Context
The Cougars' victory marked the first time in the program's history that five players scored 10 or more points in a single game since their Dec. 3, 2025, victory over Cal Baptist at the home of the Utah Jazz.
