Sophomore guard Rob Wright III hit a fading three-pointer at the buzzer on Dec. 9, 2025, to lift No. 10 BYU to a 67-64 victory over Clemson at Madison Square Garden. The dramatic win in the Jimmy V Classic allowed the Cougars to erase a 22-point deficit and extend their winning streak to five games.
Massive Second Half Comeback
The victory at basketball's "Mecca" was defined by a massive second-half resurgence after BYU appeared nearly defeated. As KSL Sports reported, the Cougars faced a daunting 21-0 run from Clemson to close the first half, leaving BYU trailing 43-22. The deficit grew even further early in the second half when BYU committed two consecutive turnovers, allowing the Tigers to extend their lead to 22 points.
Despite the mounting disadvantage, the Cougars utilized a balanced attack to chip away at the Clemson lead. ESPN analytics noted that the win represented BYU's largest second-half deficit comeback ever. The momentum shifted significantly when center Keba Keita scored on an alley-oop dunk assisted by AJ Dybantsa, marking BYU's first lead since they were ahead 17-15 earlier in the contest.
Dybantsa and Wright Lead Charge
While Wright provided the final blow, freshman AJ Dybantsa was the engine of the BYU comeback. According to ESPN game data, Dybantsa recorded a career-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. He also contributed nine rebounds and six assists during his 34 minutes of play.
Wright's individual performance was equally vital to the win. KSL Sports reported that Wright finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 36 minutes. His game-winning shot occurred with just 1.4 seconds remaining on the clock after BYU had tied the game at 64 following a timeout.
Clemson Struggles to Hold Lead
The game featured high-impact plays from several BYU players. Keba Keita provided energy in the paint, contributing a dunk on an alley-oop from Dybantsa that helped spark the comeback. The team's efficiency improved significantly as the second half progressed, with BYU shooting 40% from the field and 87% from the free-throw line overall.
Clemson, who entered the game with a 7-3 record, struggled to maintain their early dominance. KSL Sports noted that the Tigers cooled off completely in the second half, unable to counter the sustained pressure from the Cougars. Clemson finished the contest shooting 36% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc.
BYU Winning Streak Continues
The win moves BYU to an 8-1 overall record for the season. The Cougars' recent success includes five consecutive victories, highlighted by this high-profile win in New York City. The victory also showcased BYU's ability to handle extreme adversity, overcoming a period where they trailed by more than 20 points.
In addition to Dybantsa and Wright, other players contributed to the scoring effort. ESPN recorded that Richie Saunders made several plays, including a jumper assisted by Wright, while Butta Johnson also contributed to the Cougars' offensive output during the second-half rally.
Looking Ahead
Following their performance at Madison Square Garden, BYU will return home to Provo. The team is scheduled to host UC Riverside at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, marking their first home game in 32 days. The tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio.
