Aziaha James led North Carolina State to a historic victory over Texas, securing their spot in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. James made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points in the game, showcasing her exceptional shooting skills.
The game was not without controversy, as the 3-point lines on the court were at different distances on opposite ends. Despite this discrepancy, both teams agreed to play on, with James showing no signs of being affected by the unusual setup. She finished 7 of 9 on 3-point attempts, helping N.C. State maintain their lead throughout the game.
Texas, led by Madison Booker’s 17 points, fought hard to close the gap, but N.C. State’s strong performance proved too much to overcome. River Baldwin added 16 points for the Wolfpack, who will now face unbeaten South Carolina in the national semifinals.
The victory was a significant milestone for N.C. State, who had not made it to the Final Four in over two decades. Their last Elite Eight appearance in 2022 ended in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss, but this time they were able to secure the win and advance to the next round.
As for Texas, they were vying for their first Final Four appearance since 2003 but fell short against a determined N.C. State team. Despite the loss, the Longhorns put up a strong fight and will look to regroup for future tournaments.