PROVO, UTAH –
For the second time in consecutive nights this week, the Big 12 Conference saw a game go into overtime.
This time, BYU (14-6, 5-4 Big 12) faced Baylor (13-7, 5-4 Big 12).
In a game where scouts from 15 different NBA teams were in attendance, BYU’s Kanon Catchings put on a show as BYU Men’s Basketball secured its first Quad I win of the season by defeating the Baylor Bears 93-89 Tuesday night at the Marriott.
The NBA talent on display didn’t disappoint in the pivotal Quad I matchup.
Catchings was phenomenal Tuesday night, leading the Cougars with 23 points, going a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from 3-point range.
The breakout performance came for the four-star prospect, who is projected to be a late first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. “It definitely felt like,” said BYU coach Kevin Young. For the first time in the Big 12 Conference, BYU Men’s Basketball is on a three-game winning streak. However, the Baylor Bears wouldn’t go down without a fight.
According to Bleacher Report, VJ Edgecombe, the projected No. 4 lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, scored 28 points on 60% shooting, along with five rebounds and four assists. The freshman from the Bahamas lived up to his reputation, hitting six of his last seven shots in the second-half overtime.
First Quad I victory
After three consecutive Quad I losses to Ole Miss, Houston, and Texas Tech. BYU finally gets its first win over Baylor.
Improvements from the Charity Stripe
BYU has made the necessary improvements to win a close ball game down the stretch for the first time this season.
The Cougars shot 81.8% in their victory against Cincinnati last Saturday at the Marriott Center and maintained their momentum against Baylor, going 80% from the charity stripe by making 21 of 26 attempts.
Kevin Young has a great deal of trust in Redshirt junior Dawson Baker. Baker’s only points in overtime came from two crucial free throws that sealed the game after he was brought in specifically for that purpose.
Although he missed all of his shots in the second half, as Kevin Young said earlier, “Dawson’s a guy that does not lack confidence.”
With this win, BYU moves up to 6th place in the conference. The Cougars will now travel to Orlando, Florida, to face the UCF Knights. The tip-off is scheduled for 4 pm ET at the Addition Financial Arena.
