RALEIGH, N.C. — Aziaha James scored 26 points and second-seeded N.C. State made an NCAA Tournament program-record 15 shots from 3-point range in an 83-49 victory over seventh-seeded Michigan State in the women’s second round Monday.

James connected for six 3s and Madison Hayes, who had 17 points, drilled five 3-pointers for the Wolfpack (28-6).

Toledo native Grace VanSlooten scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Michigan State (22-10), which was 4-for-15 on 3s. The Spartans were trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

N.C. State began 5-for-6 on 3-pointers and 10-for-13 overall from the field to lead 25-9. The Wolfpack reached a season high for 3-point baskets with 12 less than five minutes into the third quarter and kept going.

“You don’t really know what to do when a team is doing that,” VanSlooten said.

The Spartans lost by more than 15 points for the only time this season. They finished with a season-low point total.

“We’ve been a team that’s been able to go on runs,” Spartans coach Robyn Fralick said. “We’ve typically been able to do it with our defense and being able to kind of be disruptive. We never got that run.”

It was quite a rousing send-off for the Wolfpack, who’ve won 23 straight home games stretching back to February 2024. There were concerns about fan turnout when the game drew a noon tip-off on a weekday. No worries, as it turned out.

The Spartans took notice of the atmosphere.

“I’ve never seen a crowd like that,” VanSlooten said. “I’ve never played in an environment like that.”

First Published March 24, 2025, 9:13 p.m.