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Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64

Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64 | iNFOnews.ca
BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) makes the game winning shot against Clemson guard Efrem Johnson (4) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Wright III made a 3-pointer as time expired after AJ Dybantsa scored 22 of his season-high 28 points in the second half, and No. 10 BYU stormed back from a 22-point deficit to beat Clemson 67-64 on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic.

The Cougars (8-1) lost a six-point lead in the final 70 seconds but completed the comeback when Wright took an inbounds pass from Mihailo Boskovic and sank a long 3 from the right side.

After trailing by 21 at halftime and 44-22 with 18 1/2 minutes remaining, BYU pulled off the largest second-half comeback in school history.

Dybantsa surpassed his previous high of 25 in the Cougars’ two-point loss to UConn on Nov. 15 in Boston. The freshman sensation shot 9 for 17 and grabbed nine rebounds to go with six assists. He highlighted the biggest night of his college career so far with a one-handed dunk from the middle of the lane that put BYU up 62-56 with 1:10 left.

After his thunderous slam, Clemson rallied, and a layup by Dillon Hunter tied it at 64 with 5 seconds remaining.

Wright added 17 points and Keba Keita contributed 10 on four dunks, including a slam that led to an uneven rim and caused a nearly 20-minute delay with 11:40 left and BYU trailing by nine.

Jestin Porter paced Clemson (7-3) with 17 points but the Tigers were outscored 45-21 in the second half. RJ Godfrey added 13 and Efrem Johnson had 10 as Clemson shot 36.2% overall, including 25.9% after halftime.

BYU shot 40.3% and overcame an off night from Richie Saunders, who was held to five points. Saunders shot 2 for 11 and missed all seven 3-point tries.

Dybantsa was 2 for 6 in the first half, when the Cougars allowed a 21-0 run. But the forward hit an array of difficult shots to fuel the comeback.

Porter sparked Clemson’s big run, including a shot that rolled in as the shot clock expired. That helped the Tigers take a 43-22 halftime lead after there were eight ties in the opening 13 minutes.

Up next

Clemson: Hosts Mercer on Saturday.

BYU: Hosts UC Riverside on Saturday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64 | iNFOnews.ca
BYU guard Robert Wright III , left and forward AJ Dybantsa, right, reacts after defeating Clemson an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64 | iNFOnews.ca
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots over Clemson forward Jake Wahlin (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64 | iNFOnews.ca
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles the ball against Clemson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64 | iNFOnews.ca
BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) drives to the basket against Clemson forward Nick Davidson (11) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

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