Boise State was stunned by Division II school Hawai’i Pacific in its season opener, losing 79-78, at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, Idaho, on Monday night. The packed, pro-Boise State gymnasium was speechless at how a Division II school went toe-to-toe with a program above its level, and was further silenced by the shocking outcome of the game.
As though the loss wasn’t terrible enough in its own right, fans were further stunned by the actions of a Boise State staff member.
What Did the Boise State Staff Member Do That Went Viral?
What should have been a walk in the park against the Sharks turned into a nightmarish evening for the Broncos, who earned four votes in the AP Top 25 poll during the preseason, as they weren’t able to put away the determined HPU team.
The embarrassment of losing to a Division II team was further compounded by a viral moment in the dying seconds of the game. One of Boise State’s staff members dragged an injured player to the sidelines without the need for a stretcher.
Amidst my infuriation with watching this disgraceful performance, I could at least see something I’ve never seen before
Hope the young man is alright pic.twitter.com/qVcEiv07Iu
— Tom Mosser (@coachmosser) November 4, 2025
The incident didn’t escape the eyes of college basketball fans, who expressed shock and were perplexed by the staff’s inappropriate healthcare assistance to the rival team’s top player.
How Did the Fans Feel About Boise State’s Staff’s Inappropriate Handling of an Injured Player?
Fans criticized the school’s failure to provide proper healthcare to HPU guard Joshua West, who reportedly experienced cramps with 1:48 left in the game. At that time, the Sharks were up six when West went down on the floor, favoring his right calf muscle.
A trainer moved to stretch his left leg towards the ceiling, while another trainer curiously pulled the senior guard to the bench by his right arm. One fan said it could cause harm not only to the player but also to the school’s staff.
“That is a terrible look for the Boise trainer,” the fan tweeted.
That is a terrible look for the Boise trainer.
— Lobo Lane (@lobolaneblog) November 4, 2025
She used him like a sweat mop
— Political Party of One (@nobodylistens61) November 4, 2025
Other fans expressed shock with the staff’s nonchalant pullout.
I can’t believe they just dragged him off the court.
— Chris Johnson (@feardemonkey) November 4, 2025
Boise trainer just got lost on the way across the court
— Wolf Pack Burner (@joshLeonar57840) November 4, 2025
One fan had a hilarious take on the incident, comparing it to what he saw on an old video game where an ambulance runs over an injured player.
This reminds me of the old Madden game, when the ambulance would come on the field and run the player over, lol.
— Tone D (@d_tone13) November 4, 2025
Boise State couldn’t get their game going as Hawai’i Pacific scored buckets that kept the Broncos at bay when they tried to execute a rally. The Sharks held their nerves down the stretch to register one of their most impressive victories in team history.
Hawai’i Pacific Coach Celebrates ‘Proud Moment’ for the Team
Hawai’i Pacific coach Jesse Nakanishi was interviewed after the game, and he expressed pride in the way the team performed against Boise State.
“We locked into the best versions of ourselves on every possession,” he said. “They stuck together and had guys step up with big shots.”
Joshua West finished with 23 points, on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers. He also had three rebounds, one assist, and four steals in 31 minutes of action for the Sharks, whose win against the Broncos isn’t counted on the team’s season record.
Quentin Meza added 14 points while Quinton McCullough and Josh Niusulu added 12 apiece.
Dylan Andrews led Boise State with 15 points and nine assists, while Spencer Ahrens came off the bench to finish with 14 points. Drew Fielder and Andrew Meadow combined for 23 as the loss count for the Broncos’ 2025-26 regular season record, per NCAA rules.