### BYU Basketball's Recent Success: A Surge in Performance The BYU Cougars have been on a remarkable winning streak, highlighted by their recent victory over Arizona State. On February 27, 2025, BYU, ranked 25th, secured a 91-81 win, showcasing their impressive shooting skills, particularly from beyond the arc. Richie Saunders led the charge with 26 points, including six three-pointers, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. This victory marked BYU's fifth consecutive win, solidifying their position in the Big 12 standings with a record of 20-8 and 11-6 in conference play [https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/no-25-byu-hits-17-treys-victory-over-arizona-state-2025-02-27][https://sports.yahoo.com/article/saunders-scores-26-no-25-044746050.html]. ### Breakdown of BYU's Recent Games and Performance 1. **Victory Over Arizona State**: - BYU defeated Arizona State 91-81, hitting 17 three-pointers in total. - Richie Saunders scored 26 points, leading the team in scoring [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/byu-drains-17-three-pointers-063807026.html]. 2. **Previous Win Against Arizona**: - Prior to the Arizona State game, BYU achieved a thrilling 96-95 victory over No. 19 Arizona on February 23, 2025. - Saunders scored 23 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds [https://www.si.com/college/byu/basketball/byu-basketball-gets-signature-win-over-no-19-arizona-in-a-shootout]. 3. **Strong Performance Against Kansas State**: - On February 16, 2025, BYU halted Kansas State's six-game win streak with an 80-65 victory, where Saunders recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds [https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/byu-halts-cold-shooting-kansas-states-6-game-win-streak-2025-02-16]. ### Supporting Evidence of BYU's Performance - **Shooting Statistics**: - In the game against Arizona State, BYU made **10 three-pointers in the first half** and finished with **17 for the game** [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/saunders-scores-26-no-25-044746050.html]. - Against Arizona, BYU shot **55.4% from the floor** and **45.2% from three-point range** [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/richie_saunders_byu_upend_no_19_arizona_96_95/s1_17048_41802113]. - **Player Contributions**: - In the Arizona game, alongside Saunders, Egor Demin contributed **13 points and 8 assists**, while Kanon Catchings added **14 points** [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/richie_saunders_byu_upend_no_19_arizona_96_95/s1_17048_41802113]. ### Conclusion: BYU's Momentum in the Big 12 **BYU's recent performances have established them as a formidable contender in the Big 12**. Their ability to shoot effectively from long range, combined with key contributions from players like Richie Saunders, has propelled them to a five-game winning streak. 1. **Key Wins**: Victories over ranked opponents like Arizona and consistent performances against teams like Kansas State have boosted their confidence and standings. 2. **Shooting Prowess**: The team's three-point shooting has been a critical factor in their success, as evidenced by their recent games. 3. **Player Impact**: Richie Saunders has emerged as a standout player, leading the team in scoring and clutch moments. As they continue their season, BYU will look to maintain this momentum and secure a strong position heading into the postseason [https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/no-25-byu-hits-17-treys-victory-over-arizona-state-2025-02-27][https://sports.yahoo.com/article/saunders-scores-26-no-25-044746050.html].