BYU vs. Arizona State: Saunders Drops 30 in Big 12 Blowout on New Year’s Eve
BYU basketball dominated Arizona State in their first conference matchup on Tuesday.
Head coach Kevin Young had his Cougars ready for the Big 12 opener, and they stormed to an early lead, leaving the Sun Devils stuck in the mud. BYU controlled the game from start to finish.
Richie Saunders had a career-best performance, scoring 30 points on remarkable efficiency. Shooting 11-for-18 from the field and 6-for-11 from three-point range, Saunders showed his prowess as both an elite scorer and a smart, efficient player. His tireless energy kept opportunities flowing throughout the night.
Egor Demin contributed significantly by recording a game-high seven assists. While still working off the rust from an injury, the lottery prospect displayed flashes of brilliance. His jumper remains inconsistent, but his form and touch suggest it’s just a matter of time before he finds his rhythm.
Demin’s play was not without flaws, as his five turnovers became costly giveaways. Cleaning up those mistakes will be key to his development moving forward.
The Cougars’ shooting as a team left room for improvement, hitting just 31% from deep and 48% overall. Knell, Baker, and Demin combined for a rough 0-for-11 from three-point range, underscoring the team’s reliance on Saunders’ hot hand.
The Sun Devils fared no better, with their offense stalling against a stifling BYU defense. BYU forced 13 turnovers and limited ASU to just 11 team assists, a promising sign for fans concerned about defensive consistency.
Arizona State may not be the strongest Big 12 team, but BYU’s commanding win in their conference opener gave fans plenty to celebrate.
Next up, the Cougars hit the road to face a formidable Houston team on January 4th.