Brayden Burries block helps No. 1 Arizona survive vs. BYU to remain unbeaten
Brayden Burries scored 29 points and had the game-saving block as No. 1 Arizona remained unbeaten by holding off a furious BYU rally.
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PROVO, Utah (AP) — Brayden Burries scored 29 points and made a game-saving block in the final seconds as top-ranked Arizona remained unbeaten by holding off a furious rally from No. 13 BYU for an 86-83 victory Monday night.
BRAYDEN BURRIES BLOCKS THE POTENTIAL BYU GAME-WINNER 😳
ARIZONA ESCAPES UNDEFEATED 🔥 pic.twitter.com/y9CJev1oej
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2026
Jaden Bradley added 26 points for the Wildcats (21-0, 8-0 Big 12), who matched the best start in school history.
BYU trailed by 19 midway through the second half before trimming the deficit to one with a 12-2 run that began with just more than a minute left. Keba Keita’s putback dunk pulled the Cougars to 84-83 with 16 seconds to go, and they forced a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play.
Robert Wright III drove toward the rim and wriggled free for a good look near the basket, but Burries came flying over from the weak side to block the shot from behind. The freshman guard grabbed the loose ball and converted two free throws before BYU missed a long heave at the buzzer.
Burries finished 13 of 14 at the foul line. He added five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Fellow freshman AJ Dybantsa led the Cougars (17-3, 5-2) with 24 points but shot 6 of 24 from the field — including 1 for 8 from 3-point range. Richie Saunders scored 18 and Kennard Davis Jr. added 17 while making five 3s.
BYU was handed its first home loss despite going 10 of 20 from long distance after halftime.
Three of Burries’ six first-half baskets came off BYU turnovers. The third one — a layup after Burries stole an inbounds pass — helped spark an 18-5 surge that put the Wildcats up 44-31 going into halftime.
Arizona made seven straight buckets during the go-ahead run. Bradley knocked down four jumpers in that stretch.
Up next
Arizona visits Arizona State on Saturday.
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Comments
11 Comments
Plus the 3 shooting by the COug's was unreal. That, a horrible offensive (on an inbound play - by a guy not setting a pick) call by Tommy Padilla AGAIN, almost gave the game to BYU.
Sorry.. was this really "close" to the Cats giving this away, or officiating made it that close? I actually think this team over came a determined BYU team, a determined BYU fanbase/environment, and a determined officiating crew that wanted the #1 team to fall due to many questionable calls.
UA let the game get close enough that the “Provo” refs were able to start pulling strings for the home team. Can’t do that in that town, they’ll rob you every time. Fortunately Bradley and Burries were able to pull it out in the end.