The BYU Cougars secured an 89-77 exhibition victory over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, led by a dominant second-half performance from Branch III.
Cougars Secure Exhibition Win
The matchup, which served as an exhibition contest, saw the Cougars overcome UNLV to finish with 89 points against the Rebels' 77. According to a report from BYU Athletics, Branch III played a pivotal role in the outcome, specifically shining during the second half to help secure the win.
Preseason Momentum
The game took place as part of the preseason schedule, providing a preview of the upcoming season. While the final score favored the Cougars, the contest featured high-level competition as both programs prepare for their respective regular-season campaigns. The victory for BYU comes at a time when the program is looking to build momentum ahead of its non-conference matchups, including a scheduled game against Ohio State on Monday, Nov. 2.
UNLV Preseason Honors
UNLV enters the season with several notable figures, including Mountain West preseason honors. According to UNLV Athletics, Kiss was named the Mountain West Preseason Freshman Of The Year, while Jones and Storr both earned preseason All-MW honors. The Runnin' Rebels recently announced their 2026-27 men's basketball schedule, which includes an exhibition opening against Utah on Wednesday night, Oct. 6.
Looking Ahead to Season
The BYU Cougars' victory on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, adds to a season of varied results for the program. Earlier in the month, the Cougars secured a 72-61 win over Nebraska on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2026-27 season, the Cougars are scheduled to face several opponents, including Omaha on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, and Queens on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026.
Upcoming Schedule Highlights
The Cougars' schedule for the upcoming months includes a series of neutral-site and home games. Following their November matchups, the team is slated to play Washington on Monday, Nov. 23, 2026, and Northwestern on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. The team will also host Utah State on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026, and Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.
Season Outlook
As the preseason concludes, both BYU and UNLV move toward their official regular-season schedules. The Cougars' ability to execute in the second half during the UNLV exhibition provides a positive indicator for the team as they prepare for the rigors of the upcoming season.
