It’s the first true heartbreaker of the Kevin Young era at BYU.
The Cougars faded late in a 72-67 defeat to Texas Tech Tuesday night at the Marriott Center, dropping to 1-2 in Big 12 play after consecutive losses.
3 takeaways
BYU’s defense fell apart down the stretch. After taking a 1-point lead with 6:50 left to play, the Cougars allowed Texas Tech to score on six of its following seven possessions over the next four minutes.
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Additionally, the Red Raiders lit up the Marriott Center to shoot 53.6% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range in the second half — a masterclass in how to close out tight contests in a hostile road environment.
BYU had no answer for the talented Texas Tech trio of Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian and Elijah Hawkins, who combined for a collective 56 points (they made 10 3-pointers), 19 rebounds and nine assists.
Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) shoots the ball while guarded by BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland calls out to his players during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the BYU Cougars held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) drives the ball toward the hoop while guarded by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kerwin Walton (24) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) talks with his teammates during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) and his teammates await Texas Tech Red Raiders players during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) takes a free throw against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) takes a free throw against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) throws the ball inbounds against the BYU Cougars during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) congratulates guard Egor Demin (3) on his and-one opprotunity after Demin made a basket despite a foul from the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) huddles with his teammates during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) goes up to try and block a shot from Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts to a referee’s call during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland talks with forward Darrion Williams (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the BYU Cougars held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) and Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) compete for possession of the ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) controls the ball while guarded by BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young calls out to his players during an NCAA men’s basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Fousseyni Traore (45) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Federiko Federiko (33) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) shoots the ball after evading Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) reacts after committing a foul against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) drives the ball toward the basket while guarded by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) shoots the ball while guarded by Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Federiko Federiko (33) compete for possession of a loose ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dawson Baker (25) reacts after sinking a basket against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) goes up for a shot while surrounded by Texas Tech Red Raiders defenders during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Egor Demin (3) walks off the court after BYU was defeated by the Texas Tech Red Raiders 72-67 in an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) drives the ball past Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kerwin Walton (24) and forward Darrion Williams (5) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward Kanon Catchings (6) and Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) compete for possession of the ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) lays the ball up past Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) during an NCAA men’s basketball game held at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
The Cougars picked a bad night to shoot poorly. Just by looking at the box score, you would have thought this game was played in Lubbock. The Red Raiders were sharp and steady, while BYU was flustered and sloppy.
The Cougars made a mere five of their 23 3-point attempts but truly buried themselves with a 12 for 21 mark from the free throw line. Losing out on nine points from missed free throws — including failing on multiple front ends of one-and-ones — stings terribly after losing by five.
Egor Demin had his best showing since November but still needs to improve. It was a somewhat encouraging effort for the slumping freshman phenom, as he finished with 12 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Demin made a number of flashy passes and had a few solid takes to the rack, but his shooting numbers are still underwhelming — he went 4 of 12 from the field and 1 of 5 from deep, making his only 3-pointer with just 1.8 seconds remaining to snap a streak of 21 consecutive misses dating back to Thanksgiving.
Defensively, he’s still a work in progress, getting caught out of position and bullied down on several occasions. If BYU wants to get its Big 12 campaign turned around, the Cougars need to get much more out of Demin.
Maybe he finally snapped out of this recent funk against Texas Tech. If so, it would be a huge win for Kevin Young’s squad.
