Robert Wright III scored 35 points to lead No. 25 BYU to a 94-83 victory over Ohio State in the men's basketball season opener on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Wright III Leads Cougars
The victory for the Cougars, who entered the game ranked No. 25, came after a scoring revision by the university. While initial reports and social media highlights from BYU Men's Basketball on Nov. 2, 2026, credited Wright III with 33 points and 5 assists, the university later announced after a review of the game that he actually scored 35 points. The adjustment was attributed to an additional two-pointer made during the contest.
Second Half Surge
The matchup saw BYU secure the win by outscoring the Buckeyes 60-46 in the second half. During the first half, Ohio State held a 37-34 lead, marking the Buckeyes' largest advantage of the game. The Buckeyes saw success in the paint, recording 38 points in that area, while also contributing 22 points from their bench.
Ohio State Performance
Ohio State's effort was led by Amare Bynum, who recorded 20 points and four assists, matching one of his career-best performances. Bynum was 7-of-10 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range. Other Buckeyes finishing in double figures included John Mobley Jr. with 14 points and seven assists, Andrija Jelavic with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Justin Pippen with 12 points.
Statistical Breakdown
The Buckeyes' offensive efficiency was highlighted by a 94.7 percent success rate from the free-throw line, converting 18-of-19 attempts. They finished the game shooting 49.1 percent from the field, connecting on 28-of-57 attempts, and made 9-of-28 three-pointers. BYU, conversely, shot 54.4 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from three-point range.
Cougar Scoring Depth
BYU's scoring depth included contributions from several players. Tyler Betsey and Collin Chandler both added 15 points. Jaxon Kohler contributed 11 points, while Bruce Branch III scored 10 points, following a scoring revision that corrected an initial report of 12 points.
Looking Ahead
The season opener for Ohio State resulted in a 0-1 record. The Buckeyes are scheduled to host Youngstown State for their home opener on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Next for BYU
BYU moves to a 1-0 record following the Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, victory. The Cougars are scheduled to play Omaha on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
