BYU Advances to NCAA Second Round with 80-71 Victory Over VCU

DENVER, Colo. – In a stunning performance at Ball Arena, the sixth-seeded BYU Cougars triumphed over the 11th-seeded VCU Rams 80-71 in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday. This victory marks the Cougars’ first win in the tournament since 2012.

With the win, BYU improved their overall record to 25-9 and will face third-seeded Wisconsin on Saturday in the Round of 32, seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2011. The Cougars dominated the paint with 38 points and shot 50% from the field, including 35% from beyond the arc, finishing 7-of-20 on three-point attempts.

“We have been waiting for this moment for a long, long time,” said Dallin Hall, who contributed six points and four assists. “This win was absolutely huge, just for the program and what coach Young is trying to build.”

The game had an electrifying start for VCU, which led early on. However, the Cougars quickly settled down, with standout performances from Richie Saunders (16 points), Egor Demin (15 points), and Fousseyni Traore (13 points) leading the charge. The Cougars controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with 40 boards to VCU’s 31.

BYU gained momentum towards the end of the first half, going on a 12-2 run to secure a 39-28 halftime lead. Coach Kevin Young highlighted that focusing on rebounding and minimizing fouls were vital strategies coming into the game.

“Credit to BYU,” VCU coach Ryan Odom said. “They played very well today, made enough plays to be able to hold us off.” Odom noted the significant foul disparity, with BYU earning 28 free throw attempts to VCU’s six, which ultimately contributed to the Cougars’ success.

Demin’s performance was particularly notable, as he displayed poise after an early turnover. Despite struggling in the second half, he showcased his potential to NBA scouts with his confident perimeter shooting. “In this tournament, I think I don’t have as much experience as these guys about March Madness, but I believe that we are the ones who want to win more,” Demin stated.

BYU maintained control throughout, leading for 29 of the 40 minutes. Their defense, particularly in the final minutes of the first half, was critical in giving them the advantage they needed to secure the win.

The Cougars now look ahead to their matchup with Wisconsin, where they will aim to continue their run in the NCAA Tournament.