In a tightly contested match, BYU's Cougars faced a heartbreaking defeat against the Texas Tech Red Raiders with a final score of 72-67. This loss marks their second consecutive setback in Big 12 play, dropping their conference record to 1-2. The game revealed significant defensive lapses and shooting woes for the Cougars, who struggled to contain Texas Tech's potent offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Defense Falls Apart in Crucial Moments

The Cougars' defense unraveled in the final minutes, allowing Texas Tech to seize control of the game. After holding a narrow lead midway through the second half, BYU's defensive efforts faltered as the Red Raiders capitalized on multiple possessions. The visitors demonstrated exceptional efficiency from both inside and outside the arc, showcasing an impressive shooting display that overwhelmed the home team.

Texas Tech's trio of standout players—Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian, and Elijah Hawkins—dominated the contest, combining for 56 points, including 10 three-pointers. Their performance exemplified how to close out tight games in a hostile environment. The Red Raiders shot an impressive 53.6% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc in the second half, leaving BYU without a viable counter-strategy. The Cougars' inability to adjust defensively was a critical factor in their downfall.

Shooting Woes Compound BYU's Challenges

The Cougars faced additional hurdles due to their poor shooting night. BYU struggled with accuracy, particularly from long range and the free-throw line. They managed only five successful three-pointers out of 23 attempts, further complicating their offensive efforts. Perhaps most damaging was their underwhelming performance at the free-throw line, where they missed nine potential points by converting just 12 of 21 attempts. These missed opportunities proved costly in a closely contested game decided by a mere five-point margin.

Egor Demin, a freshman guard, showed signs of improvement but remains a work in progress. He contributed 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals, displaying flashes of his potential with flashy passes and drives to the basket. However, his shooting remained inconsistent, hitting just 4 of 12 shots from the field and 1 of 5 from three-point range. Defensively, Demin struggled, often finding himself out of position or overpowered by opponents. For BYU to regain momentum in the Big 12, they need more consistent contributions from Demin and other key players. If he can build on this performance and shake off his recent slump, it could be a significant boost for Kevin Young's squad moving forward.