KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Every Thanksgiving, BYU basketball will have a banner hanging inside the State Farm Field House at Walt Disney World.
That’s because No. 9 BYU took down the Dayton Flyers on Friday night to win the 2025 ESPN Events Invitational.
BYU wins the ESPN Events Invitational 🏀 pic.twitter.com/3c3MKESRiS
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 29, 2025
BYU defeated Dayton 83-79 to improve to 6-1 overall on the season.
The Multi-Team Event (MTE) championship is BYU’s second in the past three seasons. It’s the first in the Kevin Young era.
Here are some takeaways from BYU’s victory.
The BYU Basketball “Big Three” can carry the workload
BYU basketball’s “Big Three” of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Robert Wright III can score whatever total of points Kevin Young needs from them on a given night.
On Friday night, the talented trio scored 70 of BYU’s 83 points to lift the Cougars to a win.
An incredible luxury to have three players on one team in the college game who can score at such a high level every night.
Richie Saunders has the “will to win”
Senior Richie Saunders was locked in against Dayton. Even during the first half of action, when BYU was struggling, Saunders was hitting bit shots to keep his squad within reach.
In the second half, Saunders put on an offensive masterclass, dropping 21 points on nine field goal attempts en route to his game-high total of 29 points.
What’s even more impressive is that the high level of play on the offensive end of the floor was not sacrificing Saunders’ effort on the defensive end. Saunders had eight rebounds and three steals.
BYU coach Kevin Young highlighted Saunders’ “will to win” after the victory. It was on full display.
Saunders earned MVP honors for the ESPN Events Invitational, and it was well-deserved.
AJ Dybantsa put together some clutch moments late in the game
With 1:08 remaining in the game, BYU had a three-point lead, AJ Dybantsa buried a jumper to give his team a two-possession cushion.
Then two possessions later, Dybantsa got to the rim to keep BYU in front by five points.
Rising to the occasion when the game is on the line. That was on display from Dybantsa, and it’s a moment he and this team can build on when they have future close calls down the road.
Also, when projecting Dybantsa in his NBA career, showing the ability to take big shots and not be rattled is why he’s a blue-chip prospect that should hear his name called as the No. 1 pick next June.
Tough to see Dawson Baker injured
After BYU clinched the victory over Dayton to win the ESPN Events Invitational, the entire team gathered at center court for a trophy presentation.
Disney’s Mickey Mouse came out on the floor with the team that also included injured guard Dawson Baker.
Bummer that Dawson Baker is dealing with another injury in his career. pic.twitter.com/4k1yR2V1Hg
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 29, 2025
Baker, who suffered an undisclosed injury on Thanksgiving night in the win over Miami, was being wheeled around in a wheelchair. Before approaching the team, Mickey Mouse went up to Baker to see if he was okay.
Seeing Baker rolling around in a wheelchair and not being Baker, the “shotmaker,” on the floor for this team was a tough sight on Friday. BYU basketball strength and conditioning sports scientist assistant Parker Rhee was helping push Baker around.
The former UC Irvine transfer has endured numerous injuries throughout his career, including this summer as he worked his way back.
Kevin Young is going to have to figure out who those key performers will be on the offensive end in the absence of Baker.
BYU gave some minutes in the first half to sharpshooter Aleksej Kostic and Dominique Diomande. Both players are young but talented.
Still, in a perfect world for Dawson Baker and this BYU team, Baker makes a speedy recovery.
Young told the BYU Sports Network in pregame that Baker will have an MRI in Provo.
Up next for BYU basketball
BYU basketball returns to action on Wednesday, December 3, when it faces Cal Baptist at the Delta Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (MST) and will be streamed on ESPN+, with the radio broadcast on KSL NewsRadio.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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