Rob Wright III delivered a masterclass in offensive efficiency, scoring a game-high 33 points and sinking four three-pointers to propel No. 25 BYU to a commanding 94-83 victory over Ohio State on Monday night. The Cougars (1-0) displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming a sluggish start where they missed eight of their first nine three-point attempts. That early perimeter struggle allowed the Buckeyes to control the pace initially, but BYU’s shooting found its rhythm in the second half, as the team connected on seven of their attempts from deep to dismantle the defense.
Cougars’ hot second-half shooting overcomes slow start to secure dominant win
The turning point arrived when BYU scored on four consecutive possessions, capped by a second-chance corner three from Wright, to seize their first lead of the contest. The momentum never wavered after that surge, as the Cougars extended their advantage to 50-43 on a three-point play by Jaxon Kohler. Although Ohio State briefly reclaimed a 57-55 lead via a John Mobley Jr. layup, BYU responded with a decisive 14-2 run. This sequence, highlighted by Kohler’s reverse backdoor layup and another Wright three, pushed the lead to 73-61 with 7:24 remaining, effectively ending the game’s competitive tension.
Supporting Wright’s stellar performance, Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey each contributed 15 points, while Bruce Branch III added 12. The Cougars’ balanced attack was evident in their 69% field goal shooting, a testament to their inside-out execution. For Ohio State (0-1), Amare Bynum led the scoring with 18 points, while Andrija Jelivic provided a double-double threat with 13 points and nine rebounds. Mobley Jr. finished with 14 points and seven assists but was forced to sit out the final minutes after fouling out with 4:48 on the clock, leaving the Buckeyes without their primary playmaker in the closing stretch.
Source: Yahoo Sports
