No. 14 NC State remains perfect at Reynolds Coliseum, taking down No. 10 Duke 89-83.
The Wolfpack trailed 43-32 at the half following a 26-8 second quarter from the Blue Devils. Duke was led offensively by Ashlon Jackson, who knocked down five threes in the first 20 minutes. The Blue Devils also hauled in 10 offensive rebounds leading to 13 second-chance points in the first half.
NC State continued to trail midway through the third quarter, as the Blue Devils controlled a 60-48 lead. But the Wolfpack found their rhythm with four minutes to play, closing the quarter on a 10-2 run and sparking their home crowd into the final 10 minutes.
The two ACC squads traded baskets for the first few minutes of the fourth, but Aziaha James powered the Wolfpack in front with six minutes to play. James finished with a career-high 36 points on the night, including 15 in the fourth quarter. She made 15 of NC State's 36 field goals in the win.
Aziaha James is heating up ♨️#NCAAWBB x 🎥 ESPN2 / @PackWomensBball pic.twitter.com/Zf7RCzvUiV
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) February 4, 2025
Jackson, the first-half hero for the Blue Devils, went cold in the final 20 minutes, going 3-12 from the field with just one three-pointer in the second half. As a team, Duke went 2-14 from the field in the final four minutes of the third into the first four minutes of the fourth.
📊Box score: Final stats from NC State vs. Duke
NC State (18-4, 10-1 ACC) has now won seven straight, and the Wolfpack will try and carry this momentum on the road next Sunday against No. 22 Florida State.
Duke (17-5, 8-2 ACC) will head back to Durham for a home stand against Clemson and Miami this weekend, looking to get back on track in conference play.
