Basketball Game Preview: Provo Bulldogs vs. Payson Lions

The Provo Bulldogs will face off against the Payson Lions at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Provo has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Provo is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They fell to Timpanogos 89-84. The Bulldogs were up 54-40 in the third quarter but couldn't hold on to the lead.

Provo's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Makai Allen, who went 12 of 22 on his way to 34 points, and Lucas Castagnetto, who shot 7-for-9 from beyond the arc and almost dropped a double-double on 21 points and nine boards. That was a full 40.5% of Provo's points, marking the third time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Crew DeMartini, who put up ten points and four steals.

Meanwhile, Payson faced Layton Christian Academy in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. Payson came up short against Layton Christian Academy, falling 73-50. The game marked the Lions' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Payson's defeat ended a seven-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 11-2. As for Provo, their loss dropped their record down to 9-5.

Provo was able to grind out a solid win over Payson in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, winning 69-60. Will Provo repeat their success, or does Payson have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.