Washington’s 109–91 exhibition loss at Boise State was not primarily a shooting failure. The Huskies made 51.0% of their attempts overall and 40.7% from three-point range, numbers that normally provide a workable offensive foundation. The more pressing issue was the cost of the whistle: Washington committed 36 fouls, sent Boise State to 30 points at the line and had all five starters foul out.
That is the clearest takeaway from a preseason game that began with Washington in a deep hole and ended with too little margin to complete its comeback. Exhibition results do not count in the regular-season ledger, but the underlying details still matter. A team cannot reliably benefit from efficient shooting if its foul trouble constantly reshapes the lineup and gives the opponent repeated scoring chances with the clock stopped.
A hole, then a response
Boise State led 20–5 less than seven minutes into the first half and carried a 52–39 advantage into halftime, according to Washington Athletics. The Huskies did make a meaningful push after the break, using a 13–0 run built around eight straight made field goals to close within 68–63 with 12 minutes remaining.
That sequence is worth noting because it shows Washington could generate connected offense rather than merely trade isolated baskets. But Boise State restored a double-digit lead soon afterward, and Washington never moved closer. The early deficit and later foul pressure left a capable scoring burst with too much work to do.
Several offensive bright spots
LeJuan Watts and Tayshawn Comer led Washington with 16 points apiece. Watts finished one rebound short of a double-double, while Comer made 10 of 12 free throws. Parker Friedrichsen added 15 points and connected on three of five attempts from beyond the arc; he also shared the team lead with three assists.
Those contributions give Washington productive pieces to build around. Still, the overall free-throw line was a contrasting problem: the Huskies converted 28 of 46. The combination of missed opportunities there and excessive fouling at the other end created a sizable advantage for Boise State.
The next exhibition test
Washington has one more exhibition, an Oct. 25 home meeting with Washington State, before the regular season begins. The practical objective is straightforward: preserve the offensive rhythm shown in Boise while cutting down the avoidable fouls and missed free throws.
For the roster context entering exhibition play, see the Huskies’ Big Ten Media Day representation.