Boise State used a strong second-half push and a career performance from Pearson Carmichael to pull away from Duquesne in an 86-64 win Wednesday night, closing out nonconference play with one of the most complete performances of the season.
The Broncos entered the game still searching for consistency after a challenging early stretch, and the opening minutes reflected that.
Boise State struggled to find a rhythm offensively, while Duquesne stayed within striking distance by controlling the paint and limiting shots. The game remained competitive through the early portion of the first half as both teams worked through missed shots and defensive pressure.
Momentum shifted midway through the first half when Carmichael came off the bench and sparked the offense with persistent scoring ability. The sophomore guard began to find space beyond the arc, knocking down multiple three-pointers within a few minutes of each other. His shot-making stretched Duquesne’s defense and opened driving lanes for Boise State, allowing the Broncos to gradually build separation.
The Broncos began the second half by winning defensively. They limited possessions, forced contested shots and overall played physical. Boise State’s ability to rebound and push the pace led to easy transition opportunities, steadily extending the lead.
Drew Fielder played a key role inside, finishing with 23 points and anchoring Boise State’s presence in the paint. His impact complemented Carmichael’s perimeter shooting, giving the Broncos offensive balance. Fielder said Carmichael’s performance made the offense easier to operate.
“When he’s shooting the ball like that, it opens everything up,” Fielder said. “The spacing this team can have is huge. He’s been working his tail off, and it’s great to see young guys like him shine.”
As the second half progressed, the Broncos continued to control the game through extended possessions and steady execution. While the Broncos moved the ball efficiently and capitalized on defensive breakdowns, Duquesne struggled to generate a consistent offense, leading to Boise State’s double-digit lead.
Carmichael finished the night with a career-high 26 points, including five three-pointers in the first half. After the game, he said the performance followed a difficult opening stretch to the season and credited the support around him for his success.
“It was a rough first month,” Carmichael said. “I wasn’t performing how I wanted to, but the coaches and players did a good job keeping me accountable. The last couple [of] weeks have just been about staying consistent, trusting the work and keeping my head down.”
Head coach Leon Rice said Carmichael’s recent performances reflect improvement across the roster, particularly in practice.
“The last two days in practice I was like, ‘Whoa, here we go,’” Rice said. “That’s a reflection of our whole team getting better in practice, and you’re seeing them reap the rewards of that.”
Rice also pointed to Carmichael’s development and willingness to embrace challenges early in the season.
“Developing is hard because you have to become uncomfortable and work through things,” Rice said. “It’s been a hard journey for him, but he’s still scratching the surface. Basketball is important to him, and he loves it.”
Boise State continued to rotate its lineup as its lead piled, sustaining the health and energy of its players. The Broncos finished with a 22-point victory, showcasing an increase in confidence as the season progresses.
The win pushed Boise State to 7-3 on the season. With a career night from Carmichael and other major contributions from Fielder and Javan Buchanan, Boise State now turns its attention to its matchup against No. 18 Saint Mary’s.
“It doesn’t matter who we beat,” Fielder said. “We’ve got to go right back to practice and keep working, and that’s what we’re going to keep falling back on.”
