Richie Saunders scored 23 points and No. 17 BYU outplayed shorthanded Iowa State down the stretch to get a 96-92 win in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

BYU brings a nine-game winning streak into the Big 12 semifinals on Friday night and looks like a team that is in prime position for a run in March.

In an elite offensive showcase from both teams, BYU overcame a 9-point second half deficit and beat Iowa State 96-92 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. Iowa State was down starting guards Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert,

Nine days after losing to BYU in an instant classic at home, Iowa State dropped another unforgettable affair against the Cougars Thursday, but this time in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals. “So much respect for BYU and their program,

The Cougars outlasted the Cyclones 96-92 in a wild Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal contest Thursday and will advance to a semifinal game against Houston or Colorado on Friday. Earlier, BYU survived an overtime battle in Ames. The victories have been part of the Cougars’ nine-game winning streak.

Iowa State’s tough-as-nails point guard had hoped a groin injury sustained late in Wednesday’s 76-56 Big 12 men’s basketball tournament win over Cincinnati wouldn’t keep him out of Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup with No. 17 BYU.