RALEIGH, N.C. — In their final regular-season home game, Aziaha James made a significant impact by scoring 21 points, leading No. 9 N.C. State to a commanding 78-57 victory over Wake Forest on Thursday night.
Zoe Brooks contributed notably, adding eight of her 17 points during the first quarter. Meanwhile, Madison Hayes also had a strong performance, finishing with 14 points for N.C. State, which now boasts a 23-5 overall record and a 15-2 mark within the Atlantic Coast Conference. Notably, the team remains unbeaten at home with a 16-0 record. James, pivotal in the first half by scoring 18 points, showcased her shooting prowess with six successful 3-point shots.
This triumph builds on the momentum from Sunday’s double-overtime victory over then-top-ranked Notre Dame, positioning N.C. State in a tie for first place in the ACC alongside the Irish, who suffered a defeat to Florida State on Thursday.
For Wake Forest, Malaya Cowles emerged off the bench to score 14 points, while Elise Williams added 13. However, Wake Forest’s struggles continue, with the team having lost 10 of their last 11 games, dropping to a 9-19 record overall and 2-15 in the conference.
The game began with N.C. State dispelling any notions of a post-Notre Dame slump, quickly taking a 12-2 lead within the first five minutes of play. By halftime, the advantage had stretched to 48-24.
Observations from the game reveal that Wake Forest was handicapped by having only eight players available, with starting guard Tamia Jones out due to illness. Their shooting performance, at just 33.3% from the field and 4 for 20 from beyond the arc, failed to set the stage for a potential upset on the road.
N.C. State celebrated a senior ceremony, honoring key starters such as James, Hayes, and Saniya Rivers—central figures from last season’s Final Four squad. A dominant aspect of the game was the team’s impressive three-point shooting, with seven of their first 13 field goals being long-range shots. In particular, James knocked down four threes, including one that extended their lead to 38-19.
Statistically, N.C. State has dominated Wake Forest in recent encounters, winning 12 consecutive meetings. Wake Forest’s record in road games against the Wolfpack now stands at a dismal 5-44.
Looking ahead, both teams will conclude their regular seasons on Sunday. N.C. State is set to visit SMU, while Wake Forest will host Pittsburgh. The outcome will be pivotal as both teams aim to cap their seasons on a high note.
