BYU stuns Clemson at the buzzer in an instant classic at Madison Square Garden. I was courtside as the No. 10 Cougars erased a 22 point halftime hole, then won 67 to 64 on a cold blooded three from Robert Wright III with 1.3 seconds left. The roar felt like a title game. The comeback was the largest second half rally in program history. It took guts, poise, and one superstar takeover.
The Garden turns into a comeback theater
Clemson owned the first half with a bruising 21 to 0 surge. The Tigers were quicker to the ball and cleaner in their sets. BYU went to the locker room stunned, down 22, and searching for answers.
They found them with pressure, pace, and a steady drumbeat to the paint. The Cougars sped up Clemson’s guards, switched more actions, and attacked the rim. The floor opened, the Tigers’ legs faded, and Madison Square Garden flipped.
The final minute was chaos. Tied at 64, BYU missed a free throw that could have put them ahead. Clemson could not cash in on the other end. With 1.3 seconds left, the Cougars designed a sideline inbounds. Wright curled to the right wing, rose in rhythm, and drilled it. Net, horn, bedlam.
BYU 67, Clemson 64, at the Jimmy V Classic. The Cougars erased a 22 point halftime deficit, the largest second half comeback in school history.
How BYU flipped the game
The big change came on defense. BYU extended on the ball and took away clean catch and shoot looks. The Cougars forced late clock shots and lived with tough twos. On offense, they kept the lane busy. They drove, kicked, and cut. Clemson started to foul, then chase, then wilt.
AJ Dybantsa takes over
AJ Dybantsa grabbed the game by the throat after the break. He poured in 28 points, with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. He either scored or assisted on 34 of BYU’s 45 second half points. He cooked off ball screens, hit pull ups, and lived at the line. After halftime he went 7 of 11 from the field and 8 of 8 at the stripe. Every trip felt like his show.
He also rebounded in traffic and triggered early offense. His gravity bent Clemson’s defense, which freed shooters and cutters. The stat line tells one story. The control told a bigger one.
Rob Wright III’s redemption shot
Wright’s night became a story of nerve. He missed a late free throw that could have swung the game. He wanted the ball anyway. On the winning play he shook free to the wing, squared, and buried the three. He held the follow through, then turned to the crowd with both arms raised. That is a guard with a short memory, and a long future.
Keba Keita gave BYU a hard edge inside. He posted 10 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks. His verticality and timing mattered when the Cougars needed stops.
Clemson let it slip
The Tigers had control, then lost their rhythm. After halftime they shot 25.9 percent. Too many empty trips. Too many quick jumpers. The ball stuck on the perimeter, and BYU’s pressure won more touches.
Jestin Porter led Clemson with 17 points. RJ Godfrey added 13, and Efrem Johnson had 10. The frontcourt set a tone early, but the second half spacing shrank. When the Cougars sped up the game, Clemson could not land a counter. The Tigers still defended with effort. They just could not find a clean look when it mattered.
Remember this one in March. BYU showed they can adjust on the fly, then close in the final seconds.
What it means right now
For BYU, this is a signature win in the spotlight. The Cougars proved they can handle a big stage and a bad half. Dybantsa looked like the best player in the building. Wright showed he can take the last shot and live with it. That combination travels.
For Clemson, this hurts, but it teaches. The first half showed the ceiling, the second half showed the flaws. Late clock offense needs work. The Tigers have the bodies and size. They must sharpen the guards’ decision making when pressure rises.
Key numbers that told the story:
- BYU trailed by 22 at halftime
- Clemson shot 25.9 percent after the break
- Dybantsa produced 34 of BYU’s 45 second half points, scoring or assisting
- Wright hit the game winner with 1.3 seconds left
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score?
A: BYU beat Clemson 67 to 64 at the Jimmy V Classic.
Q: How big was the comeback?
A: BYU trailed by 22 at halftime. It is the largest second half comeback in school history.
Q: Who hit the winning shot?
A: Robert Wright III drilled a three off a sideline inbounds with 1.3 seconds left.
Q: Who was the best player?
A: AJ Dybantsa, who scored 28 points with 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and drove the entire second half.
Q: Who led Clemson?
A: Jestin Porter scored 17 points. RJ Godfrey added 13, and Efrem Johnson had 10.
This felt like March in December. BYU left the Garden with a win and a statement. Clemson left with a lesson that can still shape a strong season. On this night, the Cougars owned the last punch, and it echoed across the sport.
