Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson yells to his players during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Jackson Payne
By Jackson Payne
Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.

At halftime against BYU in Thursday’s Big 12 tournament quarterfinal, 2-seeded Houston trailed by four points.

But the well-rested red Cougars tightened up defensively down the stretch and exploited BYU’s fatigue to secure a 73-66 win and advance to the tournament semifinals on Friday.

It was the second straight year BYU and Houston matched up in the Big 12 tournament, as Houston earned a 74-54 win in 2025’s semifinal.

BYU still has yet to defeat Houston since the two schools joined the conference in 2023.

“Congrats to BYU for a great tournament,” Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson said following the win. “I told our guys, (BYU has played) three games in three days, they’re going to play to win.

“We played in this same tournament last year, three games in three days, and I thought our best half offensively might have been the second half of our third game in three days.”

Sampson continued: “So we knew that if you’ve got (AJ) Dybantsa on your team, you’re dangerous. Kevin (Young) does a great job of putting them in the right spots, does a good job of hunting matchups.

“... We were out of character in a lot of ways the first half, but these are the moments that the players want to play in.”

While Dybantsa did score 26 points to break Kevin Durant’s Big 12 tournament scoring record, he shot just 3 of 10 in the second half, with Houston’s adjustments successfully limiting his attack.

Despite his late struggles, Sampson expressed plenty of admiration for Dybantsa.

“If you watch the ball roll off his fingertips and his release at the free-throw line, you can tell he’s an elite shooter,” Sampson said. “First time I saw him, he was 15 years old. I didn’t pay much attention to him because I knew I was never going to coach him, but I figured I’d be coaching against him one day, eventually. I just didn’t know it would be in the same conference.”

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“He’s a little tougher than people want to give him credit for. He’s a young kid, but he’s been in the spotlight his whole career. Dybantsa has got the gene. He can really score, and he’ll get better as he goes. A lot of his success early will be based on the kind of team that drafts him. He’s going to be fun to watch. He’s done a great job developing, and he went to a school that lets him basically shoot all the balls. That’s a player’s dream.”

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3 takeaways from BYU’s loss to Houston in the Big 12 tournament

With the win, Houston moves to 27-5 on the season and 15-4 against Big 12 foes. Sampson’s Cougars will face either TCU or Kansas in Friday’s Big 12 semifinal on their quest for a second consecutive conference championship.

“Really proud of my guys. It wasn’t our best game. We made some bonehead plays, stepping out of bounds, wide-open 3s,” Sampson said.

“... But the name of the game is to win the game, and at the end of the day that’s really all that matters. I’m proud of my team for finding a way to win the game, hanging in there, making the plays that we need today have made.”

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BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) defends Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles the ball up court during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) celebrates after a scoring during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) looks to pass around BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) for a layup during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and BYU center Keba Keita (13) battle for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) defends Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) talks with BYU center Abdullah Ahmed (34) as they take the court after a timeout during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shoots a jump shot during the first half against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) collides with Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) and Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) reach for a loose ball after a foul on Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson tells his players to be smart during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A detail of the court during the quarterfinal between BYU and the Houston Cougars during the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) reacts after a 3-pointer during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) is fouled as he drives to the basket between Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) and forward AJ Dybantsa (3) celebrate after a basket during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU center Keba Keita (13) dunks over Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) looks to pass around BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives to the basket for a layup against Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the first half of the the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) fight for a rebound during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kevin Young calls put to his players during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts after not getting a call during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) reacts after a hard fall while fighting for a loose ball during the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Sweat drips down the face of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as hydrates during a time out during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) dribbles against BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to one of his players being called for a foul during the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) shoots a three-pointer during the second half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars forward Chase McCarty (24) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer late in the second half to pull away from BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach and BYU alumni Andy Ried attends the quarterfinal game between BYU and the Houston Cougars during the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer late in the second half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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From left, BYU guard Robert Wright III (1), forward AJ Dybantsa (3) and head coach Kevin Young look on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kevin Young looks on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks on during a press conference after losing to Houston Cougars 73-66 in quarterfinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) looks to pass around Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a face as collides with Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) shoots a three-pointer over BYU forward Khadim Mboup (7) during the second half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives past Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) for a layup during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson yells to his players during the first half of the game against BYU during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU center Keba Keita (13) drives past Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) celebrates after dunking during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) celebrates with forward AJ Dybantsa (3) after a play during the first half against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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BYU forward Dominique Diomande (24) dunks during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars during the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) and BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) dive for a loose ball during the first half of the quarterfinal of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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