Feb 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) looks to pass the ball while BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) and forward Mawot Mag (0) both attempt to block him during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images Richie Saunders hit two free throws with 3.2 seconds left and scored 23 points to help BYU upset No. 19 Arizona 96-95 in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday night.
Saunders clinched the fourth consecutive victory for the Cougars (19-8, 10-6 Big 12) by intercepting the inbound pass near midcourt.
Egor Demin totaled 13 points and eight assists with six turnovers, Kanon Catchings scored 14 and Mawot Mag added 11 points with a big 3 in the final minute for BYU, which shot 55.4 percent from the floor. The Cougars also excelled from 3-point range, connecting at 45.2 percent.
It was BYU’s second straight win against a ranked opponent — a feat that the Cougars hadn’t accomplished in 37 years, according to the ESPN broadcast.
Caleb Love scored 27 points, including two free throws with 13 seconds left that momentarily gave the Wildcats (18-9, 12-4) the lead.
Love scored seven points in the final minute to help erase a four-point BYU lead.
The Arizona faithful didn’t think Saunders should have been awarded the two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining, but referees called a foul on Trey Townsend who had good position but bumped the BYU guard before he shot.
Tobe Awaka scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Arizona, while KJ Lewis totaled 13 points, Henri Veesaar had 12 and Anthony Dell’Orso netted 11. The Wildcats shot 54.2 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The teams went back and forth in the final minutes.
Love hit three free throws after the referees called Trevin Knell for a foul on a 3-point attempt, cutting BYU’s lead to 87-86 with 2:15 to go.
Mag then drained a 3 from the corner for a 90-86 lead.
Arizona cut that in half from the foul line, but Keita responded with an offensive rebound and bucket with 1:17 left to make it 92-88.
Love hit two more free throws with one minute remaining.
Saunders made a huge play on the ensuing possession, driving from the corner for a reverse layup while being fouled. He missed the free throw.
Love then drained a 3-pointer as the Wildcats made it a one-point game with 32.6 remaining.
Hall was fouled and missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Love was then fouled and hit two shots to give Arizona a 95-94 lead with 13 seconds to go.
–Field Level Media
