Takeaways From BYU Basketball’s Overtime Victory Over Baylor
Jan 28, 2025, 10:45 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2025, 2:49 am
Brigham Young Cougars center Keba Keita (13) drives to the basket to dunk the ball during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU basketball team outlasted the Baylor Bears 93-89 in overtime after Dallin Hall’s three-point attempt to win the game in regulation was after the horn sounded.
Let’s get to my takeaways on a night when MMA legend Connor McGregor was on hand for some Big 12 basketball.
BYU freshman impressed in front of NBA scouts
There were 30 NBA scouts in attendance to watch Egor Demin and V.J. Edgecombe battle inside the Marriott Center.
Both players dazzled at moments, showing why they are consensus NBA lottery picks.
Edgecombe finished with 28 points while making 6 of 8 from deep. Demin finished 15 points and six assists.
Dallin Hall knocked down a three for what could have been a game-winner. But it was a full second after the buzzer went off.
We're headed to overtime.
BYU 78, Baylor 78.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 29, 2025
One player who took full advantage of the professional presence was Kanon Catchings who scored a career-high 23 points while making all eight of his field goal attempts.
It was an electrifying atmosphere that highlighted what makes BYU special. Among the highlights was a fan’s halfcourt shot that earned them free tuition.
However, no moment was more important than Dawson Baker knocking down two clutch free-throws in the final seconds to secure the win.
Head Coach Kevin Young is confident that Baker can deliver in those moments. The junior guard didn’t disappoint and gave BYU a big time conference win.
Kanon Catchings re-emerging offensively
After struggling throughout the first seven games of Big 12 play, Catchings caught fire from the three-point line for the second consecutive game.
It wasn’t an easy stretch for the freshman after losing his starting role. At times it seemed like he was falling out of the rotation.
Credit to him for fighting through the adversity. He finished the game making all four his three-point attempts.
Kanon Catchings has scored in double figures in the first half for the first time in Big 12 play and fourth time this season.#BYUHoops #GoCougs
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) January 29, 2025
However, it was his mid-range game that came through when BYU needed buckets in the second half.
He has a unique ability to make difficult shots. On several occasions, he bailed out the BYU offense. What a performance in front his family, which included WNBA great Tamika Catchings.
If Catchings can maintain double-digit scoring performances in league play, it significantly enhances BYU’s chances of securing more quad-one victories. This is crucial for this team as they strive to bolster their resume before Selection Sunday.
Keba Keita is a physical specimen
BYU doesn’t win this game without Keita. His physical play was instrumental against a strong Baylor frontcourt.
Keita only scored two points along with four rebounds, but his impact was far greater than the box score.
One sequence early in the second half illustrates his impact.
Baylor took a quick timeout in after Egor Demin buried a nasty cross-over three-point shot. Kevin Young nearly sprinted to midcourt where he challenged Keita to battle more in the paint.
Kevin Young mentioned postgame that Keita came to him recently wanting to do more to help this team win.
After that timeout, Keita had a massive block that bounced off the backboard.
Connor McGregor is in the house to watch #BYU and #Baylor#Big12 #Big12MBB @kslsports pic.twitter.com/DVQbtH4XAH
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) January 29, 2025
Keita got in foul trouble with over six minutes left in the game but managed to stay on the floor through overtime, which was critical for the Cougars defensively.
When he’s hoopin’ like that, this team is tough to beat.
You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter @baiamontematt here.
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