BYU Dominates Abilene Christian in Convincing Win
Friday, December 19, 2025, 9:30 PM ET · Marriott Center
BYU Cougars 85, Abilene Christian Wildcats 67, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Abilene Christian Wildcats vs BYU Cougars?
BYU Cougars beat Abilene Christian Wildcats 85-67 at Marriott Center on December 19, 2025.
The BYU Cougars showcased their dominance in a decisive 85-67 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats at the Marriott Center. This win extends BYU's impressive home record to 8-0 this season, while the Wildcats struggled on the road, falling to 1-4 away from home. The Cougars have been in exceptional form, winning their last seven games and boasting a record of 9-1 over their last ten, averaging 87.1 points scored while allowing just 65.2 points per game during that stretch.
In contrast, Abilene Christian has faced challenges recently, with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, and they have lost their last match against the Arizona Wildcats, 62-96. Their scoring average during this period has been 70.8 points, with an average of 69.8 points allowed. The Wildcats have not been as successful on the road, as evidenced by their away record of 1-3, which highlights their difficulties in securing wins outside of their home venue.
The matchup was significant not only for its implications on both teams' records but also for the contrasting styles of play. BYU's ability to score heavily and defend effectively has made them a formidable opponent this season. They demonstrated this prowess against Abilene Christian, particularly in the second half, where they maintained control and extended their lead.
In terms of previous meetings, this game marked another chapter in the ongoing series between the two programs. The Cougars have consistently performed well against the Wildcats, and this latest victory continues that trend. The injury report showed no significant absences that impacted the game, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups.
The betting market reflected BYU's strong position, with DraftKings setting the spread at -33.5 in favor of the Cougars, indicating a significant expectation of their dominance in this matchup. The total for the game was set at 146.5, suggesting that a high-scoring affair was anticipated, which ultimately came to fruition with the final score.
Conditions in the Marriott Center were conducive to a high-energy game, with a supportive home crowd that buoyed the Cougars throughout. Fans witnessed a variety of scoring plays, including notable contributions from Khadim Mboup, who made several key baskets in the second half, helping to seal the victory. The Cougars' ability to execute in critical moments was evident as they consistently found ways to score, including a series of layups and jumpers that kept the Wildcats at bay.
For viewers, the game highlighted BYU's offensive efficiency and defensive tenacity. The Cougars' ability to score in transition and their disciplined half-court offense were key factors in their win. Moving forward, BYU will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season, while Abilene Christian will need to regroup and address their road performance to improve their chances in upcoming contests.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BYU -33.5 | 146.5 o -112 / u -108 | Abilene Christian Wildcats — · BYU Cougars — |
Leaders
- PointsAJ Dybantsa35BYU Cougars
- AssistsAJ Dybantsa4BYU Cougars
- ReboundsKhadim Mboup10BYU Cougars
- PointsCbo Newton23Abilene Christian Wildcats
- AssistsRich Smith6Abilene Christian Wildcats
- ReboundsJoseph Venzant6Abilene Christian Wildcats
Recent form
BYU Cougars
Last 10: 9-1Streak W787.1 scored · 65.2 allowed per game7-0 at home
- W93-57vs Pacific TigersDec 17
- W100-53vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 14
- W67-64vs Clemson TigersDec 9
- W91-60vs California Baptist LancersDec 4
- W83-79at Dayton FlyersNov 29
- W72-62at Miami HurricanesNov 27
- W98-70vs Wisconsin BadgersNov 21
- L84-86at UConn HuskiesNov 16
- W85-68vs Delaware Blue HensNov 12
- W98-53vs Holy Cross CrusadersNov 9
Abilene Christian Wildcats
Last 10: 6-4Streak L170.8 scored · 69.8 allowed per game1-3 away
- L62-96at Arizona WildcatsDec 17
- W77-69vs New Mexico State AggiesDec 6
- W71-63at Pepperdine WavesDec 3
- W87-55vs Jarvis Christian BulldogsNov 28
- L58-92vs William & Mary TribeNov 25
- W61-50vs UTSA RoadrunnersNov 25
- L49-63at Texas State BobcatsNov 19
- L66-76at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksNov 15
- W104-63vs Southwestern Adventist KnightsNov 11
- W73-71vs Omaha MavericksNov 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Abilene Christian Wildcats | BYU Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-59 | 25-42 |
| Field goal % | 41 | 60 |
| Three-pointers | 5-16 | 6-16 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 38 |
| Free throws | 14-15 | 29-40 |
| Free throw % | 93 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 26 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 6 |
| Defensive rebounds | 14 | 24 |
| Assists | 14 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 12 |
| Blocks | 0 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 18 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fouls | 30 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 18 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 28 | 67 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-48Robert Wright III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-50AJ Dybantsa makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Robert Wright III assists)
- 2nd Half42-50Cbo Newton makes 9-foot jumper (Tylan Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half42-51AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-52AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-54AJ Dybantsa makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half44-54Rich Smith makes layup (Bradyn Hubbard assists)
- 2nd Half47-54Cbo Newton makes 23-foot three point jumper (Rich Smith assists)
- 2nd Half50-54Rich Smith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cbo Newton assists)
- 2nd Half52-54Cbo Newton makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half52-56AJ Dybantsa makes 15-foot jumper (Richie Saunders assists)
- 2nd Half52-59Kennard Davis Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Richie Saunders assists)
- 2nd Half52-61Richie Saunders makes 11-foot jumper (Kennard Davis Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half52-62Richie Saunders makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-64Richie Saunders makes 1-foot dunk (AJ Dybantsa assists)
- 2nd Half52-66Robert Wright III makes driving layup (AJ Dybantsa assists)
- 2nd Half52-67Richie Saunders makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-67Cade Hornecker makes layup (Rich Smith assists)
- 2nd Half55-67Cade Hornecker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half55-69Richie Saunders makes layup
- 2nd Half56-69Bradyn Hubbard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-69Bradyn Hubbard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-70AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-71AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-72Khadim Mboup makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-72Bradyn Hubbard makes 12-foot jumper (Cade Hornecker assists)
- 2nd Half59-73AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-74AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-74Joseph Scott makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-75AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-76AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-76Bradyn Hubbard makes 17-foot jumper (Rich Smith assists)
- 2nd Half63-78Khadim Mboup makes layup
- 2nd Half65-78Joseph Venzant makes layup (Joseph Scott assists)
- 2nd Half65-80AJ Dybantsa makes 8-foot jumper (Khadim Mboup assists)
- 2nd Half65-81AJ Dybantsa makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-81Cbo Newton makes 5-foot floating jump shot (Rich Smith assists)
- 2nd Half67-83Khadim Mboup makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half67-84Khadim Mboup makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-85Dominique Diomande makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours BYU Cougars, below favours Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Venue
- Marriott CenterProvo, UT
- Attendance17958
- OfficialsMarques Pettigrew, Tyler Kumpf, John Jenkins Jr.
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond