No. 25 BYU secured a 94-83 victory against Ohio State in their season opener on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The Cougars overcame a slow start by scoring 60 points in the second half while shooting 69% from the field.
In a report published November 3, 2026, the Cougars' offensive efficiency peaked in the second half. After scoring only ten points in the first ten minutes, BYU trailed 22-11 at the 9:20 mark. However, the team responded with a strong performance, trailing only 37-34 at the half before taking control later in the game.
Robert Wright III led the Cougars with 33 points, including 19 points in the second half. Wright finished the game shooting 4 of 5 from the 3-point line and 11 of 12 from the charity stripe. Head coach Kevin Young, who earned his 50th career collegiate victory during the game, noted that Wright's poise and ability to control the game were essential.
The starting lineup saw several players reach double figures. Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey each scored 15 points, with Betsey also recording seven rebounds and four 3-pointers. Bruce Branch III contributed 12 points in his college debut, while Jaxon Kohler scored 11 points, nine of which came in the second half.
Ohio State, which was an eight-seed in last season's NCAA Tournament, was led by Amare Bynum with 20 points and John Mobley Jr. with 14 points. The Buckeyes finished the matchup with a 0-1 record.
BYU returns to the Marriott Center on Friday to host Omaha. Ohio State is scheduled to host Youngstown State on Friday.
