
BOSTON — BYU beginning middle Keba Keita left Saturday’s recreation towards UConn after struggling a first-half damage and won’t return, a college spokesman informed ESPN.
Keita took a tough hit to his head and shoulder space after colliding with Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. whereas chasing a free ball and wanted to be helped off the court docket with 8:51 left within the first half. He went to the locker room with a coach.
Keita has began 39 of 40 video games since transferring to BYU from Utah in 2024 and is the Cougars’ greatest defensive participant. He performed a vital position within the staff’s season-opening win over Villanova this season, posting eight factors, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Keita was averaging 6.7 factors and 6.3 rebounds getting into Saturday.
No. 7 BYU was struggling to decelerate No. 3 UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. on the submit even with Keita on the ground, and that turned much more pronounced as soon as Keita left. Reed had 11 first-half factors and opened the second half with two extra baskets.
The Huskies took a 43-32 lead into the break.