Through six games in conference play, BYU was 2-4. Competitiveness was not the issue. Far from it, in fact. BYU had a chance to win all six games, but the Cougars failed to win four out of five close games. It was very apparent that a closer needed to emerge for the BYU basketball team. Seven games later, a closer has emerged for BYU and his name is Jaxson Robinson.
Against Kansas State, Noah Waterman hit a three to give BYU a 16-point lead with 5:58 remaining. Over the next 2:15 seconds, Kansas State went on a quick 11-0 run to cut the lead to five with 3:43 remaining. The Marriott Center crowd, which had been loud and active all night, was stunned. Kansas State cut the lead from six to two with 1:11 remaining. Jaxson Robinson stepped up when it mattered most. With 0:51 seconds remaining, Robinson grabbed a pass at the top of the key with one hand, gathered, and hit a clutch three-point shot to give BYU a five-point lead. His shot ended a 5:07 field goal drought and sealed the win.
Against UCF, Jaxson Robinson hit a three with two minutes remaining to give BYU a double-digit lead. BYU needed every single point down the stretch to hold off a wild UCF comeback. Robinson hit nine consecutive free throws in the final minute to give BYU the 90-88 win.
Finally on Tuesday night, it was Jaxson Robinson who hit another clutch three to seal the win for BYU over no. 11 Baylor. With 1:35 remaining, BYU led Baylor 71-66. Robinson found some space and hit a three to extend the lead to eight. Then with 0:38 seconds remaining, Robinson hit two clutch free throws to extend the lead back to seven and end the game.
In BYU's last three wins, it has been Jaxson Robinson that has closed games and been the difference. Robinson's emergence as the closer makes BYU a much better team and gives the Cougars a chance to win close games in March.
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