Boise State basketball drops to 4-3 after defensive struggle against ranked NC State in Maui, here’s what went wrong

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By: Michael Brown

Boise State basketball dropped to 4-3 after falling to No. 23 NC State 81-70 in a Maui Invitational consolation game on November 25, 2025. The loss marks the Broncos’ second consecutive defeat in Hawaii.

🔥 Quick Facts

  • NC State improved to 5-1 with the victory in the Maui Invitational consolation bracket.
  • Dylan Andrews led Boise State with 26 points and made five three-pointers in the loss.
  • The game was played at Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.
  • NC State scored 24 points off 15 Boise State turnovers in a strong defensive performance.

NC State’s Balanced Attack Proves Decisive

Darrion Williams led the Wolfpack with 16 points while Ven-Allen Lubin contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds. Terrance Arceneaux and Paul McNeil Jr. each added 11 and 10 points respectively as NC State controlled much of the game.

The Wolfpack’s defense was particularly impressive. NC State shot 27 of 54 (50%) from the field and converted 18 of 23 (78.3%) free throws. Their ability to force 15 turnovers from Boise State proved crucial down the stretch.

Boise State’s Scoring Output Falls Short Despite Offensive Efficiency

Metric Boise State NC State
Final Score 70 81
Field Goals Made/Attempted 19 of 56 (33.9%) 27 of 54 (50%)
Three-Pointers Made/Attempted 11 of 33 (33.3%) TBA
Free Throws Made/Attempted 21 of 32 (65.6%) 18 of 23 (78.3%)

Dylan Andrews delivered a strong individual performance for the Broncos. The Boise State guard connected on 5 of the team’s 11 three-pointers and finished with a team-leading 26 points. Pearson Carmichael added 11 points while Javan Buchanan contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Game Flow: Wolfpack Control From Early Second Half

NC State came out hot, making their first five shots from the field and building an 11-2 lead early. Boise State responded with a 16-2 run to briefly take control and built their largest lead at 26-22 with 6:08 remaining in the first half.

The Wolfpack closed the first half strong with a 12-2 run to establish a 34-28 halftime advantage. The Broncos opened the second half with an 11-2 run to cut it to 39-36, but NC State never trailed again after Quadir Copeland made free throws at the 14:15 mark to regain the lead at 44-42.

“The Wolfpack took their largest lead with 4:12 to play on a three-pointer by Arceneaux.”

ESPN, Game Recap

What’s Next for Boise State After Back-to-Back Losses?

Boise State faces a quick turnaround in Hawaii. The Broncos will compete for seventh place in the Maui Invitational on Wednesday, taking on the loser between Chaminade and Texas. This consolation matchup gives the team a final opportunity in the tournament after disappointing results so far.

The 4-3 record puts Boise State in an uncomfortable position early in the season. With several Mountain West Conference teams still undefeated or near-perfect records, the Broncos need to regain momentum quickly to stay competitive in conference play.

Looking Ahead

After concluding the Maui Invitational, Boise State will prepare for conference play and continue their 2025-26 season. The early tournament competition in Hawaii has tested the team against quality opponents like NC State.

Sources

  • ESPN – Complete game recap with box scores and player statistics
  • AP News – Official game result and tournament coverage
  • Boise State Athletics – Official statement on tournament results

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