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Final: NC State 78 Wake Forest 57
February 27, 2025
Raleigh, NC-On a night that began with a celebration of one of the best trio of guards to ever don the Wolfpack uniform, ended with a celebratory sign of relief for a perfect home season for the host NC State Wolfpack women’s basketball team. The Wolfpack (23-5, 15-2) entered the night coming off an emotional win over the #1 team in the land, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, seeking to earn a perfect 16-0 record on their home court. Before the contest, NC State honored 4 seniors, Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers, Lizzy Williamson, and Madison Hayes, who comprised the nucleus of a team destined to make another deep run in March.
After all of the celebration pre-game, there was still a game to be played in front of another huge crowd at Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack were looking to solidify its shot at the coveted double bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament in Greensboro next week. NC State entered the night coming off one of the most incredible college basketball games in school history as the Pack earned its third win over the #1 team in the country over the last 5 seasons. Wake Forest (9-19, 2-15), who was picked to finish 17th in the league, entered the night seeking to play spoiler and continue building on a season of ups and downs. The Deamon Deacons entered the night 2-14 in the ACC and losers of 11 in a row to the Wolfpack. Both teams sought to finish their seasons strong as they prepare for March.
1st Quarter NC State 21 Wake Forest 14
The first quarter got off to a blazing start for the Wolfpack as they took a quick 7-0 lead to begin the contest. Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks led the way for the Pack tallying 14 of the 21 Wolfpack points to give the Wolfpack a fast start. Elise Williams led the Deacons in the scoring column with 5 of her own. The Wolfpack went 7-17 in the first quarter from the field including 3-8 from beyond the 3-point line. NC State scored in a multitude of ways on their way to the early edge. The Wolfpack used 5 assists on their 7 made baskets displaying what they have all year, a team effort and sharing the basketball.
Wake Forest would try to keep things close heading into the media timeout with the Wolfpack leading 14-7 with less than 4 minutes to go in the quarter. Wake Forest was trying to keep pace with a Wolfpack offense that has been gaining offensive efficiency with each and every passing game. The Demon Deacons finished the quarter 6-18 from the field and 2-5 from beyond the arc. The Deacons were just beginning to experience the early start of a wave of Wolfpack offense as they entered the 2nd quarter down 7.
2nd Quarter NC State 48 Wake Forest 24
NC State and Aziaha James came out firing in the second quarter. James would pace the Wolfpack attack with 12 points of her own in the 2nd quarter and finished the quarter with 18 points to lead all scorers. James did it mostly from the 3-point line as she went 3-5 from beyond the arc on her way to another stellar performance. James was also helped by freshman Zamareya Jones with 8 points in the quarter. She ended the half as the team’s third leading scorer behind Zoe Brooks and James. Brooks also finished the half with 11 points of her own to go along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
NC State would finish the half shooting a scorching 45% from the 3-point line on their way to 8-18 from beyond the arc. NC State would also own the advantage on the boards with Madison Hayes leading the way for the Wolfpack tallying 8 rebounds. Tlyda Trigger added 5 boards of her own. The Wolfpack offense just proved to be too much for the Demon Deacons as the lead grew to 19 at the media timeout with NC State leading 40-21. The Wolfpack would double up Wake Forest by the end of half carrying a 48-24 lead into the locker room.
3rd Quarter: NC State 64 Wake Forest 37
Both teams came out of the half a little sluggish to begin the half as the Wolfpack continued to build on its lead. The lead would hit 27 with the Wolfpack up 53-36 midway through the quarter with NC State beginning to incorporate more of their bench throughout the quarter. The Wolfpack would hit their largest lead of the game when the score hit 64-35 with just over 1 minute left in the quarter. Madison Hayes led the Pack offense with 10 points.
The Wolfpack would finish the quarter shooting 6-16 from the field good for 37.5% including 0-4 from beyond the 3-point line. Despite the poor shooting in the quarter, NC State managed to build on the lead outscoring Wake Forest 16-13 in the quarter. Wake Forest would maintain their advantage in the post earning an 8-6 rebounding edge for the quarter and ended the game outrebounding the Pack 40-37. The Wolfpack would carry a 64-37 lead into the 4th quarter, as the Pack continued to pour it on late in the quarter.
4th Quarter: NC State 78 Wake Forest 57
The fourth quarter was a culmination of a night full of celebrations. Aziaha James passed Ashley Williams for 8th on the all-time 3-point list in NC State history as she finished the game with 6 3-point baskets which is one shy of tying her career high for a game. James finished the regular season with 61 made 3-point baskets. The Wolfpack would sulk away the victory as they were able to play multitude of their younger players as they gear up for the final game of the season in Dallas on Sunday at noon. Laci Steele led the charge for the Wolfpack in the 4th quarter as she scored 5 of the 14 total points scored in the quarter. The Wolfpack would get outscored in the quarter 20-14 as several starters were able to gain valuable rest entering the home stretch of the season.
After the loss by Notre Dame to Florida State on Thursday Night in South Bend, NC State now has full control of its own destiny to finish the regular season tied for 1st and earn the 1 seed in the ACC Tournament starting Wednesday of next week.
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