BYU Basketball Beats Montana State 86-71
BYU improved to 4-0 as Dawson Baker returned to game action after nearly a calendar year away.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Basketball
BYU defeated Montana State 86-71 on Thursday at the Marriott Center, improving to 4-0 on the season. The Cougars scored 46 of their 86 points in the paint and made 16 of 18 layups.
Why it matters
The early-season win keeps BYU unbeaten as the roster develops. Dawson Baker's return after nearly a calendar year away adds depth for the coaching staff to work with in the coming weeks.
BYU made 16 of 18 layups and outscored Montana State 46-24 in the paint. Dawson Baker finished with two points, both from the free-throw line, in his return to game action.
The players
Dawson Baker
Dawson Baker is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound BYU guard who returned to game action after nearly a calendar year away.
Jaxon Kohler
Jaxon Kohler is a forward who transferred to BYU from Michigan State.
Rob Wright III
Rob Wright III is a BYU player with a 40-inch vertical jump who scored his first dunk as a Cougar in the win.
The details
Rob Wright III scored his first dunk as a BYU player on a fast-break jam after a steal, and Jaxon Kohler, who transferred from Michigan State, attacked the rim with a spin-move finish. Dawson Baker checked into the game at the 7:10 mark of the first half.
Timeline
Thursday, November 12, 2026: BYU defeated Montana State 86-71 at the Marriott Center.
First half, 7:10 mark: Dawson Baker checked into the game.
Season Trajectory
Jaxon Kohler's arrival from Michigan State is part of the portal-driven roster building that now shapes early-season records across college basketball. BYU's unbeaten start at 4-0 gives the Cougars an early foundation as the season develops.
Dawson Baker's expected increase in minutes could affect rotation decisions for fantasy and bracket-watchers following BYU. Fans tracking BYU's 4-0 start can follow the Cougars' next games at the Marriott Center.
The takeaway
Early-season role changes, like Dawson Baker's return and Jaxon Kohler's transfer production, often shape a team's rotation well before conference play begins. Readers following BYU should watch how minutes are distributed as the roster settles.
Further reading
For more on the Cougars' season, see Basketball coverage of Provo's college teams.
