Takeaways From BYU’s Home Win Over Cincinnati
Jan 26, 2025, 12:13 AM | Updated: Jan 27, 2025, 11:14 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball picked up an important win on Saturday night, taking down the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Final: BYU 80, Cincinnati 52.
BYU improves to 4-4 in Big 12 play. pic.twitter.com/UGYnGJfFZP
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 26, 2025
Here are some takeaways from BYU’s 80-52 victory, which improved their Big 12 record to 4-4 this season.
BYU basketball took care of business on the glass
Despite having a five-point halftime lead, BYU was trailing in total rebounds, 20-17. BYU basketball hasn’t won a game in Big 12 play yet this season when losing the rebound margin.
Coming out of the halftime break, BYU was knocking down their shots, but also limiting the Bearcats to only one look at the rim.
BYU outrebounded Cincinnati 17-8 in the second half and finished the game with a 34-28 edge on the glass.
Richie Saunders has settled into being at the top of a scouting report
A couple of weeks ago, you might have been surprised to think Richie Saunders was BYU’s top player. It shouldn’t come as a surprise after eight games in Big 12 play and the junior wing consistently putting up stat-stuffing numbers.
Kevin Young pointed out earlier this month that it would be a challenge for Saunders on how he would handle being atop the opposing team’s scouting reports. He’s thriving in that space and continuing to perform like an All-Big 12 player this season.
Saunders finished with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field to go along with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Egor Demin found his shot from the three-point range
Freshman guard Egor Demin can make an impact without hitting shots, but BYU will be hard to beat when he’s knocking down threes.
Egor Demin on getting some three-point shots to fall in BYU’s win against Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/CJ0JvSxizI
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 26, 2025
That was the message from Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller after the game.
Demin shot 3-of-5 from three in the win. All of Demin’s field goal attempts were beyond the arc.
He ended up with 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in 25 minutes.
Maybe you can chalk up Demin’s performance to his Kobe
Dawson Baker is trending up
Dawson Baker’s offensive play on Saturday night was an underrated contributor to BYU’s win. Baker’s floaters and work around the basket have been efficient. He was BYU’s leading scorer, scoring six points at the end of the first half.
In the second half, he showed the floater game again and then knocked down a three-pointer with seven minutes to go in the game before firing off a heat check the following possession.
Baker makes good decisions when he is on the floor.
He’s scored at least eight points in four consecutive games for BYU.
Baker is a versatile guard who can play in many different lineups. On Saturday, he was on the floor at times with Demin and Hall at the same time.
Consistent nightly contributions from Baker are a positive development as BYU continues to build the best version of itself for March.
BYU basketball was on fire from three-point range
Cincinnati has one of the best three-point defenses in the country. Entering the matchup, BYU coach Kevin Young referred to the Bearcats’ defense as “NBA-style,” where they take away the three and give up the midrange.
Cincinnati coach Wes Miller after BYU’s 80-52 win: “I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a game where somebody went 11 of 15 from three on a team I’ve been a part of in a half.” pic.twitter.com/0svDxvY2CY
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 26, 2025
BYU only had nine three-point attempts in the first half but knocked down four.
Then, out of the halftime break, BYU was on fire from three, which allowed them to create separation against Cincy.
BYU finished the second half, knocking down 11 of its 15 three-point attempts. That’s a 73.3% hit rate.
The Cougars hit 15 three-pointers, the most Cincinnati has allowed all season.
It’s the first time since December 2021 against Weber State where BYU has shot over 60% from three-point range.
BYU is now 4-0 in Big 12 games when they knock down at least 10 three-pointers in a game.
Kanon Catchings had a nice performance off the bench
BYU freshman forward Kanon Catchings had his best game offensively since the Big 12 opener against Arizona State on December 31.
Catchings finished with nine points and all of his points were from three-point range.
His first make was a difficult, well-contested shot he buried in the corner. It was the type of three that you see from NBA players, not guys at the college level.
Then, in the second half, he made two threes, which caused BYU fans to give him a strong ovation as he was subbed out of the game.
Aziz Bandaogo’s dominance at the Marriott Center comes to an end
Cincinnati center Aziz Bandaogo had BYU’s number inside the Marriott Center. He won two years ago when he was at UVU. Then he won last year in Provo with the Bearcats.
Coming into the game, Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller said his starting center wouldn’t be 100% as he continues to deal with back problems.
Bandaogo finished with four points and four rebounds in 21 minutes.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
