#2 Seed NC State Steamrolls #7 Seed 83-49 to Advance to the Sweet 16

The way #2 seed NC State played today, they could have beaten anyone in the NCAA Tournament bracket. The Wolfpack steamrolled #7 seed Michigan State 83-49 in the second round of the Big Dance, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in the last seven tournaments.

NC State’s onslaught of made shots was too much for the Spartans to contain, with shooting percentages at 50% from the field and 50% from three-point range. The Wolfpack made 15 three-pointers in the contest, setting a new school record for made three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game. They didn’t just slightly make school history; they shattered the old record by five.

2025 AP All-American Honorable Mention guard Aziaha James delivered another standout performance. The senior dropped 26 points on Michigan State, making 10 of 17 from the field and 6 of 11 from beyond the arc. James already holds the record for made three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game, making seven last year against Texas, but now she also holds the #2 spot. Her 26 points are tied for the eighth-most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game and also rank fourth and fifth for scoring 29 points against Stanford and 27 points against Texas, respectively. James has now scored 172 career points in the NCAA Tournament, the second-most in school history. Her 24 career assists in the Big Dance rank fifth.

Senior guard Madison Hayes was also lights out from three, making 5 of 7 from deep. Hayes finished with 17 points and 9 boards. Her five made three-pointers are tied for the third-most made in an NCAA Tournament game in school history.

First Team All-ACC guard Saniya Rivers has posted double-doubles in back-to-back NCAA Tournament games, with 17 points (8-14 FG) and 11 assists. Rivers’ 11 assists set a new school record for assists in a tournament game. As usual, Saniya filled the stat sheet, also contributing 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Her 59 career rebounds in the NCAA Tournament rank sixth in NC State history.

Freshman Zam Jones shined on the big stage, scoring 12 points off the bench in 12 minutes, making 5 of 9 from the field and 2 of 4 from three.

The Wolfpack’s defense smothered the Spartans, holding them to 32.8% shooting from the field and 26.7% from three. NC State was +15 on the boards and -5 in turnovers.

NC State faces a significant challenge next, playing #3 seed LSU in the Sweet Sixteen in Spokane, Washington, on Friday. The Tigers crushed #6 seed FSU 101-71 today.