Boise State Basketball Overcomes Slow Start, Crushes George Washington 89-59

BOISE, Idaho — April 2, 2025. Boise State University shook off early-game jitters to secure a dominating 89-59 victory over George Washington Monday night at the College Basketball Crown. Despite a rocky start, shooting only 1-for-11 in the first eight minutes, the Broncos found their rhythm and finished the game with a 57 percent field goal rate.

KBOI Radio analyst Abe Jackson reflected on the struggling first half, stating, “This is hard to watch.” However, the Broncos’ defense kept them in contention, leading to a robust second-half performance. “We managed to stay strong defensively, and that allowed us to open up offensively,” said Boise State head coach Leon Rice after the game.

The Broncos aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming match against Butler, which recently triumphed over Utah 86-84. Key for Boise State will be mitigating the impact of Butler’s Pierre Brooks II, who scored 22 points against the Utes, including the game-winning layup.

During the game against George Washington, Tyson Degenhart and Peanut Carmichael stepped up, with Degenhart leading the Broncos with 19 points. Carmichael, a true freshman, showcased his potential, contributing 15 points and tying a school record with six steals. “I felt really in the zone tonight. My teammates helped me make the right plays,” Carmichael said.

The Broncos’ impressive performance was further supported by their dominance on the boards, garnering 10 offensive rebounds and compelling the Revolutionaries into 22 turnovers, which became pivotal in their scoring strategy. With 27 points coming from turnovers, the Broncos demonstrated a strong transition game.

However, not all news was positive for Boise State. Two players, guard Chris Lockett and center Dylan Anderson, have entered the transfer portal after a disappointing season. Anderson’s departure is particularly notable, as he was highly regarded upon his transfer from Arizona, but struggled to find footing at Boise State.

In addition to basketball updates, Boise State football saw unexpected changes in its ranks. Linebacker Andrew Simpson announced he will transfer, marking a significant loss for the team and raising concerns about the program’s future recruitment strategies. Boise State is reportedly targeting new quarterback prospects as a direct response to recent shifts, including the decommitment of Jackson Presley, an emerging talent favoring Montana State.

Speaking of streaks, Boise State leads the nation with 27 consecutive winning seasons in college football, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence since 1998.

Meanwhile, College of Idaho’s Colby Blaine received the NAIA Coach of the Year award after securing his team’s second national championship in three years with a 35-2 season. Star point guard Samaje Morgan was also recognized as a first-team All-American.

In the ECHL, the Idaho Steelheads have had a mixed outing against the Tahoe Knight Monsters, splitting their four-game series. Veteran forward Wade Murphy was named ECHL Player of the Week, leading the team with seven points over the series.

The notable activities this week reflect Boise’s rich sports culture as fans look forward to upcoming games and continued support for local athletes.