A 2nd Half Comeback Leads #3 Seed NC State to a 77-67 Victory Over #2 Seed Stanford in the Sweet 16

#3 seed NC State trailed by 10 points at halftime to #2 seed Stanford. The Wolfpack only shot 33.3% in the 1st half, and the Cardinals shot 45.9%.

What turned things around for NC State in the 2nd half?

Junior Guard Aziaha James.

James scored 25 of her 29 points in the 2nd half, making 8 of 14 from the field, 3 of 5 from three, and 10 off 11 from the free throw line. She also led the team with 5 assists.

As a team, the Wolfpack shot 55.5% from the field in the 2nd half.

Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 13 points (4-12 FG) and 7 rebounds.

Freshman Guard Zoe Brooks had 12 points (6-14 FG) and 3 steals.

Junior Guard Madison Hayes led the squad with 10 board, and hit 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

In the end, the Wolfpack’s defense was effective in cooling off the Stanford offense, which only shot 40.0% from the field, and 20.0% from three for the game.

NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 for the 2nd time in 3 years, and the 3rd time in program history. The Wolfpack will play the winner of the Texas (#1 seed) and Gonzaga (#4 seed).

It’s hard to fathom that this ELITE team started the season unranked.