BYU basketball is on a roll.
The Cougars have won three straight Big 12 games for the first time in program history, with their latest victory coming in 93-89 overtime fashion against Baylor Tuesday night in Provo.
Kanon Catchings caught fire.In front of 32 NBA scouts from 15 different teams, Catchings looked every bit of the first round talent he's been projected to be.
The young freshman was flawless offensively, scoring 23 points on perfect shooting while hitting four 3-pointers. It was by far his best collegiate performance to date and one of the most dominant individual scoring efforts at BYU in recent memory.
Though he didn't play in the final minutes of regulation nor a second of overtime, the Cougars definitely don't win this game without Catchings, who finally broke out after a quiet past month.
If BYU can continue to get solid scoring out of Catchings down the stretch, Kevin Young's squad will be a tough group to take down.
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) attempts to put up a shot while being guarded by Baylor Bears forward Norchad Omier (15) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) puts up a shot while being guarded by Baylor Bears forward Josh Ojianwuna (17) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) puts up a successful shot while falling backwards during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) dribbles the ball down the court against Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) and guard Trevin Knell (21) both reach for a rebound during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) dribbles the ball down the court during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) puts up a shot during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) drives to the basket during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) and Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) collide while competing for a rebound during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) drives the ball to the basket while being guarded by Baylor Bears forward Norchad Omier (15) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) puts up a 3-pointer shot during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) competes for a rebound with Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) and forward Josh Ojianwuna (17) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) puts up a 3-pointer shot during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Mawot Mag (0) puts up a shot during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) puts up a shot while being guarded by Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) puts up a shot during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) drives the ball to the basket during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) drives the ball to the basket for a dunk during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) celebrates after BYU's overtime victory over the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU won the game with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young yells to his players from the sidelines during a basketball game between BYU and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) grabs a rebound from Baylor Bears guard Jayden Nunn (2) during a basketball game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. BYU went on to win the game in overtime with a final score of 93-89. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) puts up a shot during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) reaches for a loose ball during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) dribbles the ball toward the basket against Baylor Bears guard Jayden Nunn (2) during a game at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) puts up a shot during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) celebrates midair after dunking the ball during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
BYU finally finished on the right side of a nail-biter.Far too often this season have the Cougars faltered late, already having dropped two overtime contests and suffered three total single-digit defeats.
But not this time.
Despite having led by as many as 13 points, BYU couldn't escape the pesky Bears, who shot 55.6% in the second half to create dramatic circumstances for the Cougars to overcome — which they did, thanks in part to timely buckets from Egor Demin and Mawot Mag in crunch time and additional heroics from Richie Saunders, Dallin Hall and Dawson Baker in overtime.
Not only did BYU need this win for its NCAA tournament resumé, but the Cougars needed experience prevailing in tense late action in order to further grow and develop into a legitimate March squad.
Consider Tuesday a major building block and confidence booster.
BYU's 3-point defense was troubling.The Bears took 28 shots from long distance, netting 13 such attempts — including a 53.8% shooting mark in the second half and overtime.
Had the Cougars defended the perimeter more effectively, perhaps this game wouldn't have required overtime to be settled. BYU has had its share of issues guarding behind the arc on the season, and while such efforts had seemingly improved in recent outings, they reared their ugly head once again against Baylor.
As valuable as unlocking Catchings' scoring ability will be for BYU in the back half of Big 12 play, so will be the Cougars' preventing future such 3-point outbursts against other high-powered league foes.
