The No. 23 BYU men's basketball team defeated Queens 98-82 in Provo on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, maintaining an undefeated record to start the season. The Cougars' victory follows a recent rise in the AP Poll, where the team moved up two spots to No. 23 on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
Scoring Breakdown
Rob Wright led the Cougars with 21 points in the Tuesday night matchup. Jaxon Kohler and Bruce Branch each contributed 15 points to the win. Collin Chandler added 12 points, while Nate Pickens led all bench scorers with 15 points.
Offensive and Defensive Play
BYU's offensive performance included shooting 54 percent from the floor and 17-of-37, or 47 percent, from three-point range. Despite the win, the team's defense was noted as having a less-than-stellar evening, as Queens shot 14-of-34 from three-point range and outrebounded BYU 38-37 at the glass.
Observers noted that while BYU's offense had lulls, it generally performed as needed. However, the Cougars' size advantage did not translate to more physicality in the paint on both ends of the court. Queens, a solid mid-major team featuring three players from a previous NCAA Tournament roster, had previously suffered a 50-point loss to Oklahoma State.
National Rankings Rise
The Cougars' recent ascent in the national rankings was announced Monday morning, Nov. 9, 2026, when BYU moved up two spots to No. 23 in the AP Poll. The team is one of five Big 12 schools represented in that poll.
Season Opening Success
BYU's current momentum follows a strong start to the 2026-27 season. On opening night, Robert Wright III scored a game-high 35 points during a 94-83 victory over Ohio State at the Delta Center. Wright became the fifth NCAA Division I men's basketball player since 1996 to record at least 35 points, five assists, and one or fewer assists in a season opener, and was the only player to achieve that specific stat line against a major conference opponent.
In that matchup against the Buckeyes, BYU trailed by three at halftime but outscored Ohio State 60-46 over the final 20 minutes. The Cougars shot 64.5 percent from the field, 63.6 percent from three-point range, and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line during that stretch.
Dominant Omaha Victory
Prior to the Ohio State game, BYU secured a 108-67 victory over Omaha, marking the program's 21st straight win in a home opener. In that game, six players scored in double figures. Tyler Betsey tied a career-high with 18 points, shooting 6-of-8 from three-point range. Collin Chandler also contributed 18 points, going 6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Upcoming Schedule
The Cougars are scheduled to play Big Sky favorite Montana State on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, in Provo.
Season Outlook
BYU's winning streak includes a 2-0 start to the season following their victories over Ohio State and Omaha. The team continues its home stand at the Marriott Center as it moves further into the season.
