AJ Dybantsa scored a career-high 35 points to lead BYU to a 85-67 win over Abilene Christian Friday night in Provo. Abilene Christian forced 18 BYU turnovers and stayed within striking distance for much of the night. ACU relies on pressure and fouls more than any team in the country, and AJ shot 20 free throws in a highlight-worthy night for him. BYU has a team shot 29-40 from the foul line and shot 60% from the field. Richie Saunders complemented AJ with 21 points and BYU forced 16 ACU turnovers.
Keba Keita missed the game with an illness, and Khadim Mboup got the start and finished with 10 boards and 3 blocks. BYU didn’t have its best night and looked like a team that was on holiday break, but BYU still got a comfortable win and a prime time performance from Dybantsa. The play of the night was a putback dunk from AJ that will go down as an all-time dunk in BYU history and be one of the highlight dunks of the college basketball season.
BYU next hosts Eastern Washington Monday night in its final non-conference game of the season. EWU is 2-9 on the year and statistically is one of the worst defensive teams in college basketball. BYU will then have a long break before opening Big 12 play January 3 at Kansas State.
