BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk over California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.
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BYU returned from its Thanksgiving Florida trip with a convincing win.
The Cougars handled Cal Baptist 91-60 Wednesday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, crossing the 90-point mark for the third time this year and moving to 7-1 on the season.
Led by Keita, BYU scored 48 points in the paint and won the rebounding battle by a 41-29 margin.
Keita is often overshadowed by some of his star teammates, but make no mistake — he’s improved a great deal from last season and is ultra valuable to BYU’s operation.
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) drives on and is fouled by California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) pushes the ball up over California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) battles California Baptist Lancers forward Jonathan Griman (8) for the ball as as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. The ball bounced off the rim and was rebounded by CBU. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) snags a pass under the hoop as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) lays up a shot as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) drives toward the hoop with California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) defending as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) has the ball knocked away by California Baptist Lancers guard Martel Williams (33) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) fakes California Baptist Lancers guard Monty Bowser (10) and spins the opposite way for a basket as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) wraps up BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) on a drive to the hoop as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) passes the ball to BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars cheerleaders cheer after a cougar basket as BYU and California Baptist University play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk over California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) defends California Baptist Lancers center Nate Garcia (35) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) takes off toward the hoop around California Baptist Lancers guard Monty Bowser (10) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) passes the ball around California Baptist Lancers forward Bradey Henige (42) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) looks for an opening around California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. goes for a steal on California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) looks to pass as he is guarded by California Baptist Lancers forward Jonathan Griman (8) and California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) works on California Baptist Lancers forward Jonathan Griman (8) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) goes hard to the hoop for a dunk, only to have it bounce off the rim as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) react as a foul is called by a referee on California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) on a fast break as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) battles to get off a shot as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) takes the ball up for a score with California Baptist Lancers center Nate Garcia (35) watching as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) react as a foul is called by a referee on California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) on a fast break as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) passes the ball to BYU Cougars forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) react as a foul is called by a referee on California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) on a fast break as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) drives to the hoop on California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Daniels stuffed the shot. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young yells out instructions as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young talks with one of the referees as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU mascot Cosmo lays on the floor during a timeout as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) reacts to being hit by California Baptist Lancers guard Jordan Muller (11) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is stuffed on a drive to the hoop by California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) drops in a dunk over California Baptist Lancers forward Devon Malcolm (12) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Tyler Mrus (2) shoots over California Baptist Lancers guard Jalen Dollar (2) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) fumbles the ball out of bounds as he is guarded by California Baptist Lancers forward Rene D'Amelio (6) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) works on California Baptist Lancers guard Martel Williams (33) to get off a shot as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) takes the inbounds pass from BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) grabs a pass under the hoop with California Baptist Lancers forward Jonathan Griman (8) trying to get back into position as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) scores a basket as BYU and the California Baptist Lancers play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) pushes up a shot over California Baptist Lancers guard Martel Williams (33) and California Baptist Lancers forward Bradey Henige (42) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) takes the ball to the hoop with California Baptist Lancers forward Jonathan Griman (8) defending as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith looks out at the floor as he talks with friends while watching BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) removes the headband from BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) as he is interviewed after the game as BYU defeated the California Baptist Lancers at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Xavion Staton (33) looks up toward the stands as the walks toward the bench after fouling out as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) reacts after being called for a foul as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU mascot Cosmo and fans try to distract California Baptist Lancers guard Monty Bowser (10) as he shoots a free throw as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Xavion Staton (33) and BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) defend California Baptist Lancers forward Rene D'Amelio (6) as BYU and CBU play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars center Keba Keita (13) and teammates laugh as he is interviewed after the game as BYU defeated the California Baptist Lancers at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU defended quite well. The Cougars held Cal Baptist to just 33.3% shooting and 60 total points, around 15 fewer than the Lancers’ previous season average.
Lancer standouts Dominique Daniels Jr. and Martel Williams, who typically score around a combined 35 points per game, were limited to just 20 against BYU.
BYU also forced 14 turnovers, swiped 12 steals and swatted six shots.
The Cougars put together a clean, complete effort. Far too often this season has BYU stumbled through the first half and needed a strong latter frame to earn a convincing win.
Not on Wednesday.
The Cougars led by 16 points at halftime and won the contest by 31. They shot 51.4% in the first half and 60% in the second.
After opening the night on a 14-5 run, BYU never looked back en route to the blowout win.
In addition to Keita’s heroics, Dybantsa scored 22 points on 10 of 15 shooting with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
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Rob Wright III put together a double-double of his own with 15 points, 11 assists and three steals, while Richie Saunders and Kennard Davis Jr. combined for 23 points, seven boards and five steals.
The Cougars achieved such a result against a Cal Baptist team that was ranked No. 72 in the NET prior to tipoff and is arguably the top squad in the WAC.
Nevertheless, BYU did exactly what a top 10 team is supposed to do against a visitor from a lower league: dominate.
The Cougars will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s matchup with ACC foe Clemson at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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