BYU basketball was knocking on the doorstep of taking down Texas Tech in Lubbock, but then the game flipped in favor of the Red Raiders.
After BYU built up a 61-52 lead with 9:26 remaining, Texas Tech closed the game on a 32-10 run, which saw the Cougars only hit two field goals in the final nine minutes.
Final: No. 15 Texas Tech 84, No. 11 BYU 71
After BYU had a 61-52 lead, the Red Raiders closed the game on a 32-10 run in the final 9:26.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 18, 2026
Final score from a sold-out United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, No. 15 Texas Tech 84, No. 11 BYU 71.
The loss ends BYU’s 13-game win streak. It’s the first setback for BYU since November 15, when they lost to UConn in Boston.
Texas Tech stars JT Toppin and Christian Anderson combined for 49 points, to go along with 20 points from LeJuan Watts.
BYU’s big three of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Robert Wright III combined for 59 points.
Wright posted a career-high 28 points in the defeat. AJ Dybantsa scored a season-low 13 points.
BYU falls to 16-2 overall, 4-1 in Big 12 play.
The Cougars will have a week off before returning to action on Saturday, January 24, when they host rival Utah at the Marriott Center at 3:30 p.m. (MST)
First Half: BYU vs. Texas Tech
Under-16: Texas Tech 10, BYU 7
BYU started the game trailing Texas Tech 8-2, before AJ Dybantsa got an and-one to get things settled in for the Cougars.
Under-12: BYU 15, Texas Tech 13
Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland was upset with his team’s defensive performance as BYU star Richie Saunders was getting easy buckets.
Under-8: BYU 21, Texas Tech 19
BYU backup center Abdullah “Bido” Ahmed was having a strong performance on the defensive end against Texas Tech center JT Topping, forcing the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year to his right hand.
Tech’s LeJuan Watts had a wide-open layup opportunity that he missed.
Under-4: BYU 26, Texas Tech 23
BYU star AJ Dybantsa was settling in on the offensive end, getting to his go-to spots on the floor for buckets in the paint. Dybantsa wore blue athletic tape on his right shoulder during the game.
BYU starting center Keba Keita picked up two quick fouls on back-to-back possessions.
End of Half: Texas Tech 32, BYU 31
Mihailo Boskovic hit BYU’s first three-pointer, but Texas Tech’s Donovan Atwell quickly countered that.
Second Half
Under-16: Texas Tech 41, BYU 39
Texas Tech star JT Toppin missed two bunnies at the hoop, but then buried a three-pointer.
Under-12: BYU 52, Texas Tech 50
Richie Saunders ignited BYU’s three-point shooting with a pair of triples.
Bido Ahmed had an excellent bucket through JT Toppin after gathering an offensive rebound. Then, BYU guard Rob Wright III put the Cougars back in front with a drive to the basket, drawing a foul with an and-one opportunity.
Under-8: BYU 61, Texas Tech 57
BYU put together a 16-2 run that built up a nine-point lead as Rob Wright III took over the game. He had an and-one, a three-pointer, a midrange floater, then Wright was on the assist to find Richie Saunders for a corner three, causing Texas Tech to call a timeout.
What was even more impressive during that stretch is that AJ Dybantsa was getting some time to rest before the stretch run.
After Tech’s 30-second timeout, they responded with a quick five-point burst.
Under-4: Texas Tech 72, BYU 65
Texas Tech responded with a 20-4 run to regain the lead. BYU gave a one-minute break to Rob Wright, who banged up his left pinky, and that ignited the run for Tech as they quickly scored six points.
Final: Texas Tech 84, BYU 71
BYU only made one field goal in the final 2:58 of action to close out the game. Like BYU, Texas Tech only had one made field goal in that stretch, but they took care of their opportunities from the free-throw line, led by Christian Anderson, who had six made free throws.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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