Broncos close exhibition slate with rout

Boise State men's basketball finished its exhibition season with a 104-37 victory over Bismarck State College at ExtraMile Arena on Thursday. The Broncos dominated the contest, extending their exhibition record to 3-0. Julian Bowie led the offense with 11 points and seven assists, while Dovydas Butka contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

The team started slow, committing eight fouls in the first six minutes and falling behind 14-8. Boise State responded with a 39-4 run to establish a 53-12 lead. Bowie created separation through physical play, including an alley-oop dunk with Spencer Ahrens off a turnover. The Broncos also controlled the paint, securing 26 offensive rebounds that generated 30 second-chance points.

Injuries and depth tested the roster during the game. Damari Wheeler-Thomas, a transfer from North Dakota State, bruised his hip after a layup in the opening minutes. Head coach Leon Rice kept him out for the remainder of the contest as a precaution. The bench provided a major boost, scoring 65 points compared to 35 points from reserves in the previous two exhibitions.

Ethan Lathan capitalized on increased playing time, finishing with eight points and nine rebounds in 14 minutes. He grabbed five offensive boards and converted a free throw after finishing an alley-oop. Jikany Deang, who played minimal minutes in the first two games, scored 13 points on three three-pointers. Freshman Brady Hennig made his first appearance of the schedule after a summer injury, recording six points and four rebounds in 16 minutes.

Rice cited rebounding as a primary factor for playing time. "The guys know that, you don't rebound, you don't play," Rice said. He praised Lathan's progress during the offseason, noting that the player's success would help the team establish its rotation. Lathan agreed, stating he wants to rebound and make his teammates involved so the team can feed off their efforts.

The Broncos opened the lineup late in the game, with all 12 players who entered scoring. Deang described the adjustment to the higher level of competition as a challenge, noting the faster pace of the game. Lathan highlighted the roster's depth, saying the team can play through all 12 players due to talent and athleticism.

The regular season begins on Nov. 4 when Boise State hosts West Coast Baptist at ExtraMile Arena. The team will look to translate its exhibition performance into conference play against a tougher opponent.