PROVO, Utah (AP) — AJ Dybantsa had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead No. 10 BYU to a 109-81 victory over Eastern Washington on Monday night.
Dybantsa became the first player with a triple-double for the Cougars since Kyle Collinsworth against UAB on March 16, 2016.
Richie Saunders had 22 points to help BYU (12-1) go unbeaten through a four-game homestand. Kennard Davis Jr. and Robert Wright III added 17 points apiece. Wright also dished
out seven assists.
The Cougars shot 61% from the field in the second half and made 16 3-pointers. Davis led the way with a career-high five.
Kiree Huie led Eastern Washington with 17 points. Jojo Anderson and Alton Hamilton IV added 13 apiece for the Eagles (2-11), who lost to a Big 12 opponent for the third time this season.
Dybantsa carried BYU’s offense early, scoring 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 9-of-11 shooting from the free throw line in the first half.
Every point was needed to keep the Cougars a step ahead of Eastern Washington.
The Eagles made eight 3s while shooting 40% from long range before halftime. They cut BYU’s lead to one when Emmett Marquardt and Hamilton buried back-to-back 3-pointers to help trim an eight-point deficit to 47-46.
Saunders hit consecutive 3s in the final minute of the half to put BYU up 53-48 going into the locker room.
The Cougars heated up from the perimeter even more after halftime. Saunders and Dybantsa each knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to increase BYU’s lead to 72-56.
Eastern Washington visits Idaho on Jan. 3.
BYU plays at Kansas State on Jan. 3.
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