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The BYU Cougars called on guard Robert Wright III to make a play Tuesday night.
BYU was tied with the Clemson Tigers in the final seconds of their Jimmy V Classic in New York City. Wright received the pass well beyond the 3-point arc and was immediately met by two Tigers defenders. Somehow he pierced their defense and made a long shot.
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BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a game-winning three-pointer to beat the Clemson Tigers 67-64 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 9, 2025. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
Bang.
Wright’s desperation 3-pointer went in and the No. 10 Cougars were able to pull off a stunning upset, 67-64. Cheering BYU players mobbed him and the celebration began.
BYU trailed by 22 points at halftime. Cougars head coach Kevin Young had to give the team a pep talk in the locker room to get his team on notice — and it seemed like the message hit home.
“The look in their eyes was different,” Young told reporters after the game, via ESPN. “I thought we were blank and a little lifeless in the first half. I challenged the guys to come out with more competitive spirit.”
BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) drives to the basket between Clemson forward Chase Thompson (3) guard Zac Foster (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
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BYU cobbled together the biggest second-half comeback in school history, fueled by highly touted NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa.
He chipped in with 28 points, 22 of which came in the second half. During the final sequence, he was double-teamed and the ball came to Wright.
“AJ wasn’t open, he got double-teamed, so I told (Mihailo Boakovic) I’m coming back to the ball and he just trusted me and gave it to me,” Wright said. “It’s a surreal feeling.”
Wright had 17 points in the win. Dybantsa added nine rebounds and six assists. BYU improved to 8-1 with the win.
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)
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Jestin Porter led Clemson with 17 points as the Tigers fell to 7-3. Clemson was outscored 45-21 in the second half.
