1-Seed Cougars power past 2-Seed Kansas to advance to WBIT Championship

In a thrilling semifinal clash at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, the top-seeded BYU Cougars demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Overcoming an early deficit and a determined Kansas squad, the Cougars used a spectacular fourth-quarter surge to secure a 70-67 victory. This historic win not only marks the first time in program history that BYU has defeated the Jayhawks but also punches their ticket to their first-ever national postseason tournament championship game. Led by a fearless group of freshmen and anchored by veteran defensive presence, BYU proved that their late-season momentum is no fluke as they prepare to face Columbia for the title.

The 1-Seed Cougars powered past the 2-Seed Kansas Jayhawks with a 70-67 win in the WBIT semifinals on March 30, 2026. After trailing by five points entering the final period, BYU outscored Kansas 24-16 in the fourth quarter, driven by a combined 38 points from freshmen Olivia Hamlin and Sydney Benally. Hamlin led all scorers with 23 points, while Lara Rohkohl provided a defensive masterclass with 14 rebounds and six blocks. The victory advances BYU to the WBIT Championship game against 4-seed Columbia at Charles Koch Arena.

Freshmen Take Center Stage in Wichita

The story of BYU's victory was undeniably the performance of its freshman class. Olivia Hamlin and Sydney Benally stepped up when the stakes were highest, combining for more than half of the Cougars' total points. Hamlin, who tied her career high with 23 points, was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down four 3-pointers. Her ability to score in transition and create her own shot provided the spark BYU needed to erase Kansas' lead in the final ten minutes.

Sydney Benally was equally impactful, contributing 15 points and showing remarkable poise for a first-year player. Her back-to-back 3-pointers during a pivotal 9-0 run in the fourth quarter turned a two-point deficit into a seven-point lead, effectively shifting the momentum for good. Coach Lee Cummard praised the duo's composure, noting that their scoring alleviated the intense defensive pressure Kansas placed on leading scorer Delaney Gibb.

Lara Rohkohl: The Defensive Pillar

While the freshmen handled the scoring, senior Lara Rohkohl was the undisputed heart of the BYU defense. Rohkohl delivered a dominant performance in the paint, recording a game-high 14 rebounds and swatting away six shots. Her presence was most felt in her matchup against Big 12 Freshman of the Year Jaliya Davis, whom she helped limit during critical stretches of the second half.

Rohkohl's ability to anchor the interior allowed the Cougars' guards to play more aggressively on the perimeter. Her nine points were a bonus, but it was her rim protection and rebounding that ensured BYU controlled the glass, outrebounding the Jayhawks 37-33. This rebounding advantage has been a hallmark of BYU's postseason run, as they have now won the battle on the boards in six of their last seven games.

Breaking the Kansas Curse

Entering the semifinal, history was not on BYU's side. The Cougars had lost all five previous meetings against the Kansas Jayhawks, including a lopsided 81-60 defeat earlier in the regular season. However, this version of the Cougars looked vastly different from the team that struggled in Lawrence. The "revenge tour" mentality was evident from the tip-off, as BYU refused to let an early 8-0 Kansas run dictate the outcome of the game.

By securing their first-ever win over Kansas, BYU also reached a significant milestone for their coaching staff. The victory was the 26th of the season for the Cougars, making Lee Cummard the winningest first-year head coach in program history. Cummard passed the legendary Jeff Judkins for the record, further cementing the success of his debut season in Provo.

A Tale of Two Halves at Charles Koch Arena

The game was a classic back-and-forth affair featuring ten ties and thirteen lead changes. Kansas started the contest on fire, holding BYU scoreless for the first four minutes. However, BYU responded with a 9-0 run of their own, led by Bolanle Yussuf off the bench. By halftime, the Jayhawks held a narrow 31-28 lead, having used a late push to regain the advantage.

Stat Category	BYU Cougars
Final Score	70
Field Goal %	43.1%
3-Point %	33.3%
Total Rebounds	37

In the third quarter, Kansas seemed to take control, building a five-point cushion by outscoring BYU at the free-throw line. But the fourth quarter belonged to the Cougars. BYU exploded for 24 points in the final period, utilizing a 13-2 run down the stretch to pull ahead. Despite a late flurry of scoring from Kansas, including a 3-pointer from Brittany Harshaw, BYU held on for the three-point victory.

Jayhawks' Season Ends Despite Record Performances

For Kansas, the loss marked the end of a competitive season that saw several individual milestones. Freshman standout Jaliya Davis led the Jayhawks with 18 points, moving into second place on the program's all-time freshman scoring list with 514 total points. Junior guard S'Mya Nichols also made history, moving into the top 10 of KU's all-time career scoring list with 1,691 points.

The Jayhawks' defensive strategy focused heavily on neutralizing BYU's Delaney Gibb, holding her to 4-of-13 shooting. While this strategy was effective in limiting Gibb's scoring, it opened the door for Hamlin and Benally to take over. Senior Lilly Meister concluded her Jayhawk career with a strong 12-point, nine-rebound performance, but it wasn't enough to overcome BYU's fourth-quarter magic.

BYU's Path to the Championship

The Cougars' journey to the WBIT Championship has been nothing short of impressive. As a 1-seed, they have navigated a difficult bracket that included wins over Alabama A&M, Missouri, and a dominant fourth-quarter performance to upset 2-seed Stanford in the quarterfinals. Throughout the tournament, different players have stepped up at different times, highlighting the depth and versatility of the roster.

Delaney Gibb has been the primary engine for the offense, recently joining the 1,000-point club during the win over Missouri. Even when her shots weren't falling against Kansas, she contributed seven rebounds and six assists, acting as the primary facilitator for the freshmen. This team-first approach has allowed BYU to win 9 of their last 10 games, peaking exactly at the right time for a championship run.

Next Stop: The WBIT Championship Game

BYU now turns its attention to the WBIT Championship game, where they will face the 4-seed Columbia Lions. Columbia enters the final after a convincing 67-50 wire-to-wire victory over Wisconsin. The matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1995, a game which BYU won 96-52. However, these are two very different programs now, with Columbia boasting a 24-8 record and a high-octane offense led by Riley Weiss.

The Lions have been dominant in the tournament, trailing for only a few minutes throughout their four games. BYU will need to maintain their rebounding dominance and find a way to slow down Columbia's trio of high-scoring guards. With a national title on the line, the Cougars have the chance to secure the first postseason championship for BYU basketball since the men's team won the NIT in 1966.

The Legacy of the 2025-26 Cougars

Regardless of the outcome on Wednesday, this BYU team has already made history. Reaching the Final Four of a national postseason tournament is a first for the program, and doing so with a first-year head coach and a core of freshmen bodes well for the future. The Cougars have embraced the "doubters" and used their late-season snub from the NCAA Tournament as fuel for their WBIT success.

The chemistry between the veteran leaders like Rohkohl and the emerging stars like Hamlin, Benally, and Gibb has created a resilient squad that refuses to back down. As they head into the final game of the season, the Cougars are not just playing for a trophy; they are playing to prove that they belong among the elite programs in college basketball.

Conclusion

The BYU Cougars' 70-67 victory over Kansas is a testament to the growth and resilience of this team over the course of the season. By leaning on their talented freshmen and a rock-solid defense, they have navigated a difficult path to the WBIT Championship. As they prepare for the final showdown against Columbia, the Cougars stand on the precipice of history, ready to bring a national title back to Provo. The momentum is on their side, and if the "freshmen takeover" continues, the WBIT trophy may very well be heading to Utah.

1-Seed Cougars power past 2-Seed Kansas to advance to WBIT Championship

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