Boise State Dominates Bismarck State in Exhibition
The Broncos secured a 104-37 victory behind a balanced scoring effort from twelve players.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball
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Boise State defeated Bismarck State 104-37 in an exhibition basketball game held on October 29. Twelve different players scored for the Broncos in the lopsided win.
Why it matters
The exhibition provided valuable developmental opportunities for the depth of the roster following injuries that occurred during the fall. Utilizing the bench allowed no starter to play more than 20 minutes as the team prepared for the upcoming season.
Boise State bench players contributed 65 points to the total score. Ethan Lathan led individual efforts with eight points and nine rebounds, while Bhan Buom recorded 14 points.
The players
Boise State
The Boise State University men's basketball team competes in the Mountain West Conference.
Bismarck State
Bismarck State College is a public institution based in North Dakota that competes in the Mon-Dak Athletic Conference.
Ethan Lathan
Ethan Lathan is a player for the Boise State Broncos basketball team.
Damari Wheeler-Thomas
Damari Wheeler-Thomas is a member of the Boise State men's basketball roster.
The details
Boise State controlled the game throughout, seeing significant contributions from younger players across the rotation. Bhan Buom and Jikany Deang served as key offensive drivers with 14 and 13 points respectively, while Julian Bowie added 11.
Timeline
Boise State played Bismarck State on October 29, 2026.
The regular season opens against West Coast Baptist on November 4, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This dominant performance sets a high bar for team depth heading into the 2026 conference schedule. The ability to distribute scoring across twelve players offers tactical flexibility for the coaching staff as they navigate the upcoming regular season slate.
The distribution of minutes among 12 players suggests a deep rotation that will likely limit the individual stat production of starters during the early non-conference schedule. Fans tracking the team should monitor the injury report for Damari Wheeler-Thomas following his early departure.
The takeaway
The Broncos showed significant offensive depth by having bench players account for a large portion of the scoring output. This balanced approach will be critical for maintaining intensity as the team enters the full regular season schedule next week.
What happens next
Boise State is scheduled to face West Coast Baptist at home on November 4, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's performance, see the Basketball coverage page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Press.
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