BYU's 12th consecutive win may have been its sweetest to date.
The Cougars defeated rival Utah 89-84 Saturday night in Salt Lake City, earning their first victory at the Huntsman Center since 2021.
Kevin Young's squad is now 15-1 on the season and 3-0 in Big 12 play.
The Cougars made life difficult for themselves.Seemingly every BYU-Utah matchup at the Huntsman Center ends up being rather chaotic, but the Cougars were definitely to blame for some of the drama Saturday.
BYU allowed the Runnin' Utes to open the night on a 7-0 run, then let a 12-point second half lead to dwindle down to just a single point in less than seven minutes.
BYU Cougars fans cheer as Utah Utes fans turn upset as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen gestures during the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes and BYU Cougars fans take in the game at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights to get off a shot as Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) hits his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) and BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) defend Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) fights for the ball with Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) argues a call as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is fouled by Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hits Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) in the arm causing him to not catch a pass as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after a whistle as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) isn't able to make a catch on a passed ball after BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) hit his arm as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) blocks a shot attempt by Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a face as he guards Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) work to defend Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) and BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) reach for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) drives around BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) on his way to the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) fives teamate Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) after McHenry made a touch bucket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young, yells to his players as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) guards Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Alex Jensen, yells out to his players on the court as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) is hit by BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) under the basket as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) tries to knock the ball away from BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) and Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) work to trap BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as they play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) and BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) battle for the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) defends BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) argues a call after being whistled for fouling BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) tries to avoid running into BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) on a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) pushes up a three point shot as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed yells after being fouled as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Seydou Traore (0) fouls BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) watches as Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) grabs a rebound as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) tries a free-throw but misses as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) goes around Utah Utes guard Don McHenry (3) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) dribbles away from BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) battles BYU Cougars Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forwards Dominique Diomande (24) and AJ Dybantsa (3) jump in celebration after the Cougars defeated Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans erupt after no foul was called late in the game as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU defeated Utah 89-84. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes fans and BYU Cougars players gesture and jaw back and forth as the Cougars exit the arena after defeating Utah 89-84 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) and BYU Cougars forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrate the Cougar win over Utah at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. BYU held on to win 89-84. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) falls as BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) grabs the loose ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward James Okonkwo (32) blocks BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) at the hoop as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) turns as Utah Utes forward Ibrahima Traore (31) celebrates causing a turnover as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) is defended by BYU Cougars center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball as Utah and BYU play at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The Cougars shot just 6 of 26 from 3-point range, missed 10 free throws — including six in the second half — and gave up the most points of the season to an opponent not named UConn.
While free throws were a struggle throughout the night, Richie Saunders knocked down two crucial ones in the final seconds to ice the victory.
It may have been ugly for BYU at times, but a win is a win, especially against a heated rival and in a venue that has too often been a haunted house for the Cougars in their history.
The "Brig 3″ was exceptional once again.Of BYU's 89 points against Utah, 67 came from the superstar trio of Saunders, AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III.
The Salt Lake County native Saunders scored a team-high 24 points on 9 of 16 shooting, notching a double-double by grabbing 14 rebounds — eight coming on the offensive glass.
Dybantsa posted yet another 20-point outing — his ninth in a row — with six rebounds and four assists in what will be his last time playing in Salt Lake City until he suits up for or against the Utah Jazz a year from now.
Wright added 23 points with six assists, scoring 15 points in the first half to keep the Cougars' offense afloat early and scoring another six points in the final minutes of crunch time when some of his teammates had gone cold.
Additionally, Keba Keita scored 11 points with seven boards against his former team, adding a thunderous spiked block for good measure, and fifth starter Kennard Davis Jr. ended with eight points and two made 3-pointers.
BYU made history on the Hill.Prior to Saturday, not only had the Cougars failed to win at the Huntsman Center since 2021, but they'd only managed two total wins there since Jimmer Fredette graduated.
For as frustrating as Saturday's action may have been at times for Cougar Nation, no one should complain about a road victory against Utah. They don't grow on trees.
The win also marks BYU's 12th in a row and secures the first-ever 3-0 Big 12 start for the Cougars as well.
BYU shot 50% from the field against Utah and dished out 16 team assists. The Cougars, who led for more than 31 minutes of play, also won the battle down low with 46 paint points and a 41-33 rebounding margin.
