BYU Beats Gonzaga For Eighth Victory Over Top Five Team In Program History

PROVO, Utah – The BYU men’s basketball program picked up its eighth all-time victory over a team ranked in the top five by defeating the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The Cougars beat the Zags 91-78 at the Marriott Center on Saturday, February 22.

Prior to Saturday’s upset, it had been three seasons since BYU had taken down a team ranked in the top five and two seasons since the Cougars had beaten a ranked opponent.

DOWN GOES NO. 2 GONZAGA!!!!#GoCougs #BYUHoops pic.twitter.com/kelCeLjKy5

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 23, 2020

Ranked Teams This Season

The Cougars have faced three ranked teams so far this season. Prior to beating the Zags, BYU was 0-2 against ranked opponents.

During the Maui Invitational, the Cougars fell 71-56 to then No. 4 ranked Kansas on November 26.

Without senior forward Yoeli Childs, BYU struggled in a 92-69 loss to then No. 1 Gonzaga.

Prior to Saturday’s 13-point upset, BYU’s last win over a ranked team came against No. 20 Saint Mary’s on March 5, 2018.

BYU’s last victory over a top-five team came over an undefeated No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs on Senior Night in Spokane on February 25, 2017.

By defeating the Bulldogs on Senior Night 2020, BYU picked up its eighth all-time win over a top-five ranked opponent.

That @BYUbasketball game was crazy last night! Atmosphere was insane!! Big time win!! #BYUHOOPS

— Kyle Collinsworth (@bigrussia5) February 23, 2020

Wins Over Top-Five Ranked Teams

• 2020 – No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs
• 2017 – No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs
• 2015 – No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs
• 2011 – No. 4 San Diego State Aztecs
• 1981 – No. 2 UCLA Bruins
• 1965 – No. 2 Saint Joseph’s Hawks
• 1958 – No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats
• 1955 – No. 5 Utah Utes

BYU beats No. 1 Gonzaga in the upset of the year, snapping the Bulldogs 29-game winning streak. Here's the highlights. pic.twitter.com/rIZOENn2d7

— Dave Noriega (@davenoriega) February 26, 2017

Saturday’s victory resulted in BYU’s 60th all-time win over a ranked team. The Cougars’ first win over a ranked team came in 1949.

BYU last defeated a ranked opponent while being a ranked team themselves when they took down No. 6 San Diego State at home on February 26, 2011.

(2011) Jimmer Fredette puts up 43 against Kawhi Leonard and SDSU! pic.twitter.com/T6T6GtorPo

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) April 10, 2017

Up Next

The Cougars travel to Malibu, California to place the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday, February 29 at 4 p.m. (MDT).

The game will broadcast on KSL News Radio 1160 AM and 102.7 FM. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

BYU defeated Pepperdine 107-80 in the first meeting of the season.