(BCSNN) — BYU used a dominant defensive performance and a season‑high night from Kennard Davis Jr. to defeat West Virginia 68–48 on Wednesday in the second round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the T‑Mobile Center.

Davis Jr. scored a season‑best 20 points, including 17 in the second half, and went 5‑for‑6 from three. AJ Dybantsa added 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, marking his 26th 20‑point game of the season — the fourth‑most in a single year in program history. Robert Wright III reached the 1,000‑point career milestone with 11 points.

Head coach Kevin Young praised his team’s effort and defensive intensity. “I thought our defense was tremendous tonight, arguably the best it’s been all year,” Young said. BYU forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 17 points, and held West Virginia to 38.1 percent shooting.

BYU (—) shot 45.9 percent overall and 50 percent in the second half. Dominique Diomande sparked the Cougars early with three first‑half steals in eight minutes, helping BYU build a 31–23 halftime lead.

West Virginia (—) cut the deficit to 43–38 with 10:40 remaining, but BYU responded with a 12–2 run capped by Davis Jr.’s fourth three‑pointer. The Cougars held the Mountaineers without a field goal for more than six minutes to close out the win.

The victory sends BYU back to the T‑Mobile Center on Thursday, March 12, for a 5 p.m. MST quarterfinal matchup against No. 2‑seeded Houston