(BCSNN) — Richie Saunders matched his season-high with 26 points and Robert Wright III recorded his second career double-double as No. 9 BYU rolled past No. 23 Wisconsin 98–70 Friday afternoon at the Delta Center.

The Cougars asserted control early with a 13–0 run, their second-largest of the season, sparked by three straight threes from Saunders, Wright III, and Mrus. BYU never looked back after a decisive 16–3 surge midway through the second half that pushed the lead to 20.

Saunders was electric, shooting 10-of-16 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. He scored 15 points in the second half, including a blistering 4-of-5 from deep.

Freshman AJ Dybantsa added 18 points, with 11 coming from the free-throw line — the third-most made free throws in a single game by a Cougar freshman. Wright III contributed 10 points and a season-high 11 assists, marking his first double-double of the season.

BYU’s balanced attack kept Wisconsin on its heels. Khadim Mboup provided energy with a steal and fastbreak slam in the first half, while Keba Keita and Aleksej Kostic chipped in key second-half points. Boskovic added six consecutive free throws to help seal the win.

The Badgers fought back with an 8–0 run in the first half and a 9–2 spurt in the second, but BYU’s depth and perimeter shooting proved too much. Saunders’ four-point play with 6:25 remaining stretched the lead to 23 and effectively ended Wisconsin’s hopes.

BYU’s defense limited Wisconsin’s rhythm, forcing contested shots and capitalizing on turnovers. The Cougars’ ability to answer every Badger run underscored their top-10 ranking and growing confidence.

The victory marked BYU’s second win over a ranked opponent this season and showcased their offensive firepower, reaching 90 points for the fourth time.

Next up, BYU heads to Orlando for the Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Invitational, where they’ll face Miami at State Farm Field House on Thursday, Nov. 27.