NC State women's basketball completes comeback vs. Stanford in Sweet 16
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NC State women’s basketball completes comeback vs. Stanford in Sweet 16

For the second time in three years — and simply the third time in program historical past — NC State ladies’s basketball goes to the Elite Eight.

It did not look seemingly for a lot of the primary half. The Wolfpack trailed by 12 at one level and have been down by 10 at halftime. Cameron Brink was dominant on each ends of the courtroom, and NC State was held to only 27 factors on the break.

Within the second half, although, the Wolfpack wakened. NC State — led by junior Aziaha James — scored 28 within the third quarter alone, and led by as a lot as 15 late within the fourth because the third-seeded Wolfpack (30-6) upset second-seeded Stanford (30-6) on Friday evening in Portland, Oregon, profitable 77-67 to advance in March Insanity.

The Comeback Pack stays alive

The Wolfpack trailed by 10 factors at halftime and confronted lengthy odds. The Cardinal had led by 10 or extra on the half in 17 video games this season, and Stanford had gained all of them.

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Mar 29, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Aziaha James (10) drives to the basket during the first half against Stanford Cardinal guard Talana Lepolo (10) in the semifinals of the Portland Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

One thing within the third quarter modified for NC State, although. The Wolfpack got here out firing, and shortly reduce the deficit in half.

The rally actually took off late within the third quarter, when Cameron Brink was referred to as for her third foul and needed to be benched. NC State took the lead for the primary time since late within the first quarter with Brink on the bench and led by eight by the top of the quarter.

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Aziaha James’ magical quarter

Within the midst of that comeback, junior James led the way in which. After scoring simply 4 factors in all the first half — together with none within the second quarter — James erupted within the third. She made 5 of 6 from the ground within the third quarter alone, scoring 16 factors, which matched her per-game common getting into Friday. She completed with 29 factors, her highest scoring output in additional than a month.

Frontcourt foul bother

For each groups, leaders on the low block have been compelled to overlook time with a number of fouls.

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NC State noticed each River Baldwin and Mimi Collins whistled for 4 fouls every, however this managed to really assist the offense, permitting the Wolfpack to run its assault via the guards. It was rather more catastrophic for Stanford. Each of the Cardinal’s All-American forwards, Brink and Kiki Iriafen, acquired into foul bother. Brink fouled out for the second straight sport, leaving a gap within the protection. Iriafen, in the meantime, was compelled to play rather more conservatively together with her 4 fouls down the stretch.

What’s subsequent

NC State will play the winner of No. 1 Texas and No. 4 Gonzaga within the Elite Eight on Sunday.