Field Level Media
Dec 2, 2021
Fardaws Aimaq had a monstrous game with 24 points and 22 rebounds to lead host Utah Valley to a 72-65 overtime upset of No. 12 BYU 72-65 on Wednesday night in Orem, Utah.
Justin Harmon also scored 24 points and added seven rebounds and three blocked shots for Utah Valley (7-1), which won its seventh straight game and ended a three-game losing streak against its nearby foe.
Connor Harding, who started for BYU for much of last season, added 10 points for the Wolverines, who improved to 4-0 in overtime games.
BYU's Alex Barcello scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the second half and overtime session, while Spencer Johnson finished with 15 points, including forcing overtime with a last-second layup.
BYU (6-1) lost for the first time this season after climbing to its highest ranking this late in the season since 1972.
BYU took a 59-57 lead in overtime on a Caleb Lohner inside bucket.
The Wolverines responded with a game-clinching 10-0 run.
Aimaq, who also had five steals, four assists and three blocked shots, drained a 3-pointer to begin the surge.
Utah Valley picked up another two points on a dunk by Tim Fuller, and two more when Harmon made a steal and converted his two free throws. The 10-0 run continued with two free throws from Blaze Nield and one from Aimaq.
The end of regulation was wild and lengthy for the two teams who both shot just under 32 percent from the field.
BYU had a 50-43 lead with 4:13 remaining, but Utah Valley closed the gap to 50-47 after a Harmon free throw and a three-point play by Aimaq. After a Johnson free throw gave the Cougars a four-point lead, Harmon had his three-point play followed by an Aimaq layup as the Wolverines seized the lead at 52-51.
Fuller's dunk with 16.7 seconds left made it 54-51.
The final 10 seconds included two free throws by BYU's Seneca Knight after being fouled dribbling, Aimaq splitting two free throws, and Johnson's layup.
--Field Level Media