Aziaha James Leads NC State to Season-Opening Win

RALEIGH – NC State women’s basketball (1-0) opened its 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday evening with a commanding 84-43 victory over in-state foe Charlotte (0-1) in the first leg of a four-game homestand to kick off the season.

Five members of the Wolfpack finished with double-figure point totals, led by a career-high 26 points from Aziaha James, 19 of which came in the first quarter to mark the most points scored in a single quarter by any player in program history. Zoe Brooks made her NC State debut by contributing 12 points off the bench, while Mimi Collins and Saniya Rivers each added 11, and Madison Hayes posted 10.

NC State’s offense was aided by 14 total assists, including a game-high four from Rivers, while Hayes totaled a team-best eight rebounds on the evening.

The Pack’s offense got moving quickly, using a 7-0 run over the first 1:33 of play to take an early edge. James tabbed the first three field goals of the contest and knocked down four three-pointers in the opening frame alone.

The Wolfpack’s 36-8 lead after the opening ten minutes matched the highest quarter margin in team history and now stands as the third-most points scored in a period since the NCAA moved from two halves to four quarters prior to the 2015-16 season.

NC State carried a 41-15 lead into the locker room at halftime, and the Wolfpack coasted to a victory in the second half, never trailing on the night and leading by as many as 42.

All 11 of the Pack’s available players saw action against the 49ers, with newcomer Lizzy Williamson and freshmen Mallory Collier, Maddie Cox, Laci Steele, Jannah Eissa, and Brooks each making their debuts in the Red and White.

NC State will turn its attention to a highly-anticipated home matchup with the second-ranked UConn Huskies on Sunday, Nov. 12. Tip-off from Reynolds Coliseum is set for 3 p.m. on ABC,