No. 1 Arizona passed one of its toughest tests of the season Monday night, holding off a furious late rally from No. 13 BYU for an 86–83 road win at the Marriott Center. In a game defined by contrasting styles and momentum swings, the Wildcats built a commanding lead early, absorbed pressure late, and did just enough to remain undefeated.
Arizona dictated the game for most of the night. The Wildcats shot an efficient 53 percent from the field, consistently punishing BYU inside and at the free-throw line. Led by Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley, Arizona repeatedly broke down the Cougars’ defense with dribble penetration and physicality, turning fouls into points. Arizona finished 26-of-32 from the stripe — a decisive edge in a game ultimately decided by three points.
Burries delivered one of the most complete performances of the night, pouring in 29 points on 7-of-13 shooting while going a near-perfect 13-of-14 at the line. Bradley added 26 points of his own, shooting 10-of-15 from the floor and serving as a steady closer whenever BYU threatened. Together, the duo accounted for 55 of Arizona’s 86 points and controlled the game’s tempo for long stretches.
The Wildcats’ dominance showed up beyond the scoreboard. Arizona led for 79 percent of the game and built a lead as large as 19 points, appearing firmly in control midway through the second half. Their balance was evident on the glass as well, edging BYU 39–37 in rebounds and limiting second-chance opportunities just enough to survive.
But BYU refused to fold.
Behind relentless shot volume and late-game urgency, the Cougars slowly chipped away. AJ Dybantsa led the charge with 24 points and 5 assists, relentlessly attacking despite a difficult shooting night (6-of-24 from the field). Kennard Davis Jr. and Richie Saunders provided the spacing and secondary scoring, helping BYU knock down 13 three-pointers and turn the final minutes into a tense finish.
The Cougars closed the gap to a single possession in the final seconds, but Arizona’s composure at the line and defensive stops sealed it. While BYU won the three-point battle and generated more assist opportunities, missed free throws (12-of-19) proved costly in the end.
For Arizona, this wasn’t about style points — it was about survival. The Wildcats didn’t play a flawless game, but they proved they can win in hostile environments, withstand elite shot-makers, and close under pressure.
That combination is exactly why Arizona remains No. 1.
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