UCF defeated No. 19 BYU 97-84 in an upset at BYU's home
UCF shot 14 of 24 from 3-point range (58%) and 56% overall
Themus Fulks and Jordan Burks each scored 24 points for UCF
BYU trailed the entire game despite AJ Dybantsa's 29 points
📖 Full Retelling
UCF's basketball team defeated No. 19 BYU 97-84 in an upset victory at BYU's home court in Provo, Utah on Tuesday night, February 25, 2026, thanks to exceptional 3-point shooting (14 of 24) and a 44-34 advantage in paint scoring. Themus Fulks led UCF with 24 points and 11 assists, while Jordan Burks also contributed 24 points, including three consecutive 3-pointers during an 18-4 run that put the Knights ahead early. Jamichael Stillwell added 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists for UCF. For BYU, AJ Dybantsa scored a team-high 29 points with eight rebounds, while Robert Wright III had 20 points on 7-of-21 shooting, and Aleksej Kostic added 14 points off the bench. The Knights established dominance early, shooting 57% from the field and 11 of 16 from 3-point range in the first half before taking a commanding 52-28 lead at halftime. UCF extended their lead to 36 points early in the second half with a 12-0 run powered by John Bol's three consecutive baskets. BYU, shooting just 41% from the field, trailed throughout the game and couldn't mount a significant comeback despite Dybantsa's strong performance.
🏷️ Themes
Upset victory, 3-point shooting, Home court loss, Statistical dominance
Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr. (born January 29, 2007) is an American basketball player for the BYU Cougars of the Big 12 Conference. He was rated as the number one player in the 2025 class after reclassifying from the 2026 class.
Athletic program of the University of Central Florida
The UCF Knights are the athletic teams that represent the University of Central Florida in unincorporated Orange County, Florida near Orlando. The Knights participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I (FBS for football) as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Since me...
No. 19 BYU gets blown out at home as UCF makes 14 3-pointers in a 97-84 win Themus Fulks had 24 points and 11 assists, Jordan Burks also scored 24 and UCF shot 14 of 24 from 3-point range to run away from No. 19 BYU for a 97-84 upset By JOHN COON Associated Press February 25, 2026, 1:49 AM PROVO, Utah -- Themus Fulks had 24 points and 11 assists, Jordan Burks also scored 24 and UCF shot 14 of 24 from 3-point range to run away from No. 19 BYU for a 97-84 upset Tuesday night. Jamichael Stillwell added 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as the Knights (20-7, 9-6 Big 12) earned their first victory over the Cougars by outscoring them 44-34 in the paint and shooting 56% from the field — including 58% on 3s. AJ Dybantsa led BYU with 29 points and eight rebounds. Robert Wright III had 20 points on 7-of-21 shooting, and Aleksej Kostic scored 14 off the bench. The Cougars (20-8, 8-7) shot 41% from the floor and trailed the entire way. UCF got off to a blistering start on offense and didn't let up. The Knights went 11 of 16 from 3-point territory and shot 57% from the field overall before halftime. Burks drained three corner 3s over four possessions to cap an 18-4 run that put UCF ahead 23-8. Four of the Knights’ first nine field goals were transition baskets, including two of Burks’ long-distance buckets, and they started 9 of 11 from the floor overall. It didn’t get much better for BYU as the first half progressed. UCF outscored the Cougars 25-10 over the final 9:21 of the period to go up 52-28 at halftime. Fulks made four baskets over a three-minute stretch to cap the surge, helping the Knights set a season high for points in a half. UCF opened the second with a 12-0 spurt powered by three straight baskets from John Bol to take its largest lead at 64-28. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says Feb 21, 5:31 PM Blizzard live updates: Snow totals top 2 feet as wind gusts reach 80 mph Feb 23, 5:29 PM Nancy Guthrie c...