What a night in Portland! The Wolfpack faithful were on the edge of their seats as No. 3 NC State staged an incredible comeback to topple No. 2 Stanford in a heart-pounding 77-67 victory. This wasn’t just a game; it was a statement, a testament to the sheer will and determination of a team that refused to be counted out.
From a 10-point halftime deficit, the Wolfpack emerged from the locker room transformed. With the unstoppable Aziaha James leading the charge, they orchestrated a second-half symphony that outscored the Cardinal 50-30. James, the 5-foot-9 junior, was nothing short of spectacular, pouring in 25 of her 29 points after the break. Her performance was a masterclass in clutch play: 8-for-14 from the field, 3-for-5 from downtown, and a near-perfect 10-for-11 at the charity stripe.
The Wolfpack’s coach, Wes Moore, summed it up perfectly: ‘Down 10 at halftime and we were in some foul trouble, these young ladies came out the third quarter and turned the game around.’ Indeed, they flipped the script with tenacious defense and an offense that found its rhythm, all orchestrated by James’s leadership and poise.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Stanford’s Kiki Iriafen and Cameron Brink shining in their own right. Iriafen’s 26 points and 10 boards were impressive, and Brink’s swan song performance was filled with grit. But foul trouble plagued the Cardinal, with Brink exiting early in the fourth, tipping the scales in NC State’s favor.
The Wolfpack’s precision from beyond the arc was another dagger in Stanford’s side. Their 7-for-17 contrasted sharply with Stanford’s 5-for-25, highlighting the night’s shooting woes for the Cardinal. The third quarter was where the magic happened for NC State, tying the game at 43-43 and then taking the lead with back-to-back threes from James.
As the final quarter unfolded, James’s deep three-pointer felt like the final blow, then she hit a layup, extending the lead to 60-47. Despite a valiant effort by Iriafen to close the gap, the Wolfpack’s lead proved insurmountable. Coach Tara Vanderveer of Stanford graciously acknowledged NC State’s second-half surge, a hallmark of sportsmanship and respect.
This victory wasn’t just about advancing to the Elite Eight; it was a showcase of resilience, a team’s ability to rally when the odds were stacked against them. It was a night where Aziaha James etched her name into NC State lore, a performance that will be talked about for years to come.
Let’s buckle up for Sunday’s showdown. If it’s anything like Friday night, we’re in for another epic chapter in NC State’s storied tournament run. One thing’s for sure: the Wolfpack aren’t done yet, and they’re hungry for more.
