BOSTON (Interstat) — In a high-stakes, early-season clash between two undefeated men’s college basketball teams, the Connecticut Huskies survived a furious second-half comeback from the BYU Cougars to secure an 86-84 victory Saturday night at a sold-out Matthews Arena.

The game, played before a raucous crowd of 16,116, lived up to its billing as a potential NCAA tournament preview, featuring 11 ties and 12 lead changes in a contest that was not decided until the final possession.

Connecticut, playing with poise on its home floor, built a commanding 43-32 lead by halftime, capitalizing on efficient shooting and a disruptive defense. The Huskies shot a blistering 57 percent from the field in the opening period, while BYU struggled to find its rhythm, connecting on just 8 of 26 attempts from three-point range for the game.

The second half, however, told a different story. The Cougars emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, erasing the double-digit deficit with a 52-point offensive explosion. The comeback was fueled by the dynamic scoring of freshman AJ Dybantsa, a Brockton, Massachusetts, native who poured in 25 points in his return to his home state, and the steady backcourt play of Robert Wright, who added 16 points and four assists.

Despite BYU’s surge, Connecticut consistently had an answer, largely due to the interior dominance of Tarris Reed. The 6-foot-10, 265-pound center from St. Louis was a force, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds, while also anchoring the Huskies’ defense with two critical blocks. His presence in the paint was a constant challenge for the Cougars throughout the night.

The Huskies’ backcourt was equally instrumental in the victory. Silas Demary Jr. delivered a complete performance, matching Reed’s 21 points while dishing out seven assists and securing five rebounds. Veteran forward Alex Karaban also tallied 21 points, providing crucial outside shooting by hitting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

For BYU, the offensive load was shared. Alongside Dybantsa and Wright, Richie Saunders provided a significant spark off the bench, scoring 17 points, and Dawson Baker chipped in 12, including several key three-pointers during the comeback attempt.

The game’s final minute was a frantic back-and-forth. With 20 seconds remaining, Dawson Baker hit a deep three-pointer off an assist from Richie Saunders to tie the game at 84, sending the BYU contingent into a frenzy.

Connecticut called a timeout to set up a final play. Out of the break, the Huskies worked the ball to Solo Ball, who was fouled on a drive to the basket with 10 seconds left. Ball calmly sank the first free throw to put the Huskies up by one but missed the second, giving BYU a chance to win or tie.

The Cougars pushed the ball upcourt, but a last-second, contested three-point attempt by Richie Saunders missed its mark as the buzzer sounded, sealing the narrow victory for the Huskies.

Statistically, the game was remarkably even, reflecting the tight scoreline. Both teams were efficient offensively, with Connecticut posting a rating of 114.9 on 75 possessions and BYU finishing at 113.6 on 74 possessions. The Huskies held a slight edge in field goal percentage, shooting 57 percent to BYU’s 49 percent, and made the most of their opportunities inside, outscoring the Cougars 42-40 in the paint. Turnovers were nearly identical, with BYU committing 13 and Connecticut giving the ball away 15 times.

The victory extends Connecticut’s perfect start to the season, improving its record to 4-0. The Huskies now look ahead to another major non-conference test when they host Arizona on Wednesday.

BYU, which entered the game 3-0 after wins over Delaware, Holy Cross, and Villanova, suffers its first loss of the young season, falling to 3-1. The Cougars will return home to prepare for a matchup with Wisconsin in Salt Lake City next Friday.