NC State Surges Past Stanford with Comeback

PORTLAND, O.R. – The North Carolina State Wolfpack advanced to its third Elite Eight in program history with its 77-67 victory against the Stanford Cardinal Friday night in the Moda Center. 

Stanford got ahead first but NC State kept up. Both teams took turns with the lead. Cameron Brink played good defense, including three blocks in the first quarter.  

The Cardinal came out with more confidence and was all over the court to start the second quarter. They made shots on almost every possession within those 10 minutes. 

The Wolfpack started to look tired going into halftime. Stanford closed the first half with a 9-2 run.  

NC State came out of halftime with more effort than the first half. The Wolfpack tied the game with a 7-0 run with four minutes left in the third quarter. Furthermore, the Pack went on a 13-2 run with Brink out of the game and gained the lead for the first time since the score was 10-9 in the first quarter.  

Brink fouled out early in the fourth quarter. However, that did not affect the Wolfpack. NC State made a comeback and dominated in the second half. Stanford could not stop the comeback and the Pack secured the 77-67 win and punched its ticket to the Elite Eight. 

NC State struggled to make shots at a distance, mainly during the first half. They had a change of momentum for the second half. The Pack outscored the Cardinal 28-10 in the third quarter. 

The Cardinal played gap defense that forced NC State on the outside where they struggled to get points on the board in the beginning. 

Brink stood out for Stanford posting 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and seven blocks before fouling out. 

Aziaha James dominated in the second half and led the Pack with 29 points, three rebounds, and five assists.