Oklahoma State delivered a significant upset Wednesday night, defeating No. 16 BYU 99-92 in a game brimming with offensive fireworks and a raucous atmosphere. The victory, fueled by a stellar performance from senior guard Anthony Roy, marks the Cowboys’ first Quad 1 win of the season and bolsters their NCAA Tournament hopes.
The win sparked a jubilant court-storming at Gallagher-Iba Arena as Oklahoma State closed out a game that could prove pivotal when the tournament selection committee meets.
The Cowboys raced to a 15-point lead in the first half, but BYU freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa ignited a comeback, tying the score at 41 heading into halftime. The Cougars continued their momentum early in the second half, briefly taking a five-point lead before Oklahoma State regained control.
Roy led all scorers with 30 points, continuing a hot streak that began with a 26-point outing at Utah on Saturday. He spearheaded a crucial 10-3 run late in the second half, helping the Cowboys maintain a comfortable distance from BYU down the stretch.
Dybantsa finished with 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting for BYU (17-5, 5-4), but his fourth 30-plus point performance of the season wasn’t enough to prevent the Cougars’ fourth loss in their last five games. BYU committed a season-high 16 turnovers, which Oklahoma State capitalized on, scoring 21 points off those miscues compared to BYU’s 8.
What This Means for Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State entered Wednesday’s game firmly on the bubble in the latest bracket projections. Early estimates now suggest the Cowboys will move up to a No. 11 seed in the next updated bracket. While this is their first Quad 1 victory, it’s not their first win against a team currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma State has also secured wins against Texas A&M and UCF, both of whom are considered at-large contenders. Analysts predict Oklahoma State will climb into the top 40 nationally in the Wins Above Bubble (WAB) metric as a result of this victory.
The Impact on BYU’s Tournament Profile
BYU, currently projected as a No. 4 seed, is navigating a challenging stretch of its Big 12 schedule after a relatively easy start. The Cougars have now lost four of their past five games. Despite a 4-5 record in Quad 1 games and no losses outside of that category, BYU is still searching for a signature win. A victory over No. 8 Houston on Saturday would significantly improve their resume, but they’ll need to overcome their recent struggles, particularly on defense, where opponents have shot over 50% from the floor in their last three contests.
