Denver Triumph for BYU Cougars
DENVER — Richie Saunders couldn’t be happier when teammate Fousseyni Traore shines on the court. Their bond dates back to their time as high school teammates at Wasatch Academy, and they’ve now played together for three seasons at BYU.
Throughout their shared experiences, Saunders has witnessed many impressive performances from Traore, but none were quite as pivotal as his recent 13-point, nine-rebound effort in BYU’s 80-71 victory over VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I love seeing him excel; it gets me so hyped when he’s dominant in the paint,” said Saunders after the game. “It’s thrilling to watch and play alongside him. When you know we need points, I’m confident the ball will go right to him, and his defender is intimidated. He truly deserves every point he scores because of his relentless work ethic. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
With Traore’s leadership, BYU managed to score 38 points in the paint against a formidable Rams defense, showcasing their physicality and determination to win.
Saunders contributed significantly as well, leading the team with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the game. “Our team is incredibly deep,” he noted. “During our scoring surge, many players from the second unit stepped up, showcasing the range of talent we have. We played fast and shared the ball effectively, which is quintessential BYU basketball.”
Advancing to the Round of 32 marks an important milestone for BYU, as it’s their first tournament victory since 2012, a significant dry spell for the program. Both Saunders and Traore have felt the weight of past disappointments, especially after last year’s early exit, and are determined to make the most of their senior year. “This win is everything to us, especially in our final season. We don’t want to go down without a fight,” Traore remarked.
Next up, BYU has a challenging matchup against 3 seed Wisconsin on Saturday, eager to transform their March narrative from merely a single win into a deeper tournament run. “This is just the beginning for us,” Saunders expressed. “We’ve faced ups and downs, but we’re not finished yet. Winning this game means everything as we look forward to our next challenge.”
