Portland, Oregon – Aziaha James put on a stellar performance, scoring all but four of her 29 points in the second half, leading NC State to its second Elite Eight appearance in the last three seasons on Friday night. The Wolfpack overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to secure a 77-67 victory over Stanford in their Sweet 16 matchup at the Moda Center.
James’ impressive second-half surge nearly outscored Stanford’s entire team in the last two quarters. The victory marked NC State’s third Elite Eight appearance in program history, ending Cameron Brink’s career at Stanford in the process. Brink, who played a dominant first-half with five blocks, fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter with 13 points and nine rebounds to her name.
The Wolfpack’s strong second-half performance included a 16-6 run to start the third quarter, followed by a quick 13-2 burst that saw them take the lead. Saniya Rivers’ buzzer-beating layup at the end of the third quarter gave NC State an eight-point advantage heading into the final period. James continued her hot streak in the fourth quarter, hitting a deep 3-pointer to extend the lead.
Despite Stanford’s efforts, they struggled to keep up after Brink fouled out. Kiki Irafin led Stanford with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Hannah Jump contributed 13 points. Stanford, known for their strong defense, fell short as NC State capitalized on their opportunities to secure the win.
NC State’s journey to the Elite Eight was not without its challenges. They managed to fend off Tennessee in the second round after a comfortable win over No. 14 Chattanooga in the tournament opener. The Wolfpack now await their matchup against either Gonzaga or top-seeded Texas in the Elite Eight, with a chance to reach their first Final Four since 1998.
In a historic moment for NC State, both the men’s and women’s teams advanced to the Elite Eight on the same night. The men’s team secured a 67-58 upset win over No. 2 Marquette in Dallas, marking a significant achievement for the school as both teams vie for a spot in the Final Four. The women’s team’s success adds to the growing excitement surrounding NC State athletics.