RALEIGH, N.C. -- Aziaha James scored 26 points, and second-seeded NC 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. Saniya Rivers added 17 points and 11 assists, and Zamareya Jones had 12 points for the Wolfpack (28-6).
NC State will meet either Florida State or LSU in a Sweet 16 matchup on Friday in Spokane, Washington. The Wolfpack will be in the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in coach Wes Moore's 12 seasons.
Long-range shots were finding the mark at such a dizzying pace that there was no reason for the Wolfpack to back off.
"I've learned there are times for me just to get out of the way and let them play," Moore said. "It was nice to see it because, I'll be honest, we hadn't really been shooting the ball as well."
Grace VanSlooten scored 15 points 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.
NC 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 of 12 3-point baskets 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.
"We've been a team that's been able to go on runs," 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."
