GREENSBORO, NC. — The N.C. State Wolfpack defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in a fight to the finish, winning 73-72 to advance to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. In front of a stadium filled with their home fans, they got the job done and will play the North Carolina Tar Heels in the semi-finals on Saturday, March 8th, at noon EST.

The contest started close and competitive, like most of the games in the tournament before them. The Yellow Jackets ended the first quarter with a 23-18 lead, thanks, in part, to Kara Dunn’s nine points and one steal. The Wolfpack found themselves in a tight contest to start the game, and they were aided by Aziaha James, who had eight of her 16 points in the first quarter. As the teams headed into the locker room, it was clear both teams were going to have their hands full in this matchup.

Like the first quarter, the game continued to be a tight one as both teams went in for a break. NC State took the lead as the first half concluded, 38-37. Zamerya Jones, who finished with 13 points, scored eight of them in the second quarter. Tonie Morgan kept the game close for the Yellow Jackets, scoring nine of her 21 points in the period. The Wolfpack climbed back into the game thanks to their defense and getting into an offensive rhythm themselves. Georgia Tech couldn’t buy a basket in the second quarter, shooting 25% from the field on 16 attempts and 12.5% from deep on eight attempts. N.C. State got their offense going, shooting 43.8% from the field in 16 attempts and 40% from three-point land in five attempts. With neither team gaining a firm lead, the second half was surely as entertaining as the first.   

The second half started with both defenses ready to finish the game. Although the Wolfpack shot no worse than 40% in the first half, they shot 31.8% from the field in the quarter and 12.5% from downtown. Similarly, for Georgia Tech, they shot 31.6% from the field in the quarter, but this was an improvement from the second quarter. They managed to keep the game close, thanks to Zoe Brooks, who had six points and three steals through the third period. The Yellow Jackets were led by Dani Carnegie, who had 10 points through three quarters, 12 overall. The game went down to the wire, with both teams trading blows. It was N.C. State who prevailed in the end, though, and they proved why they’re the hottest team in the country at the right time.

N.C. State has been riding the hot hand, thanks to contributions from their leader, Sa’Niya Rivers. After not practicing due to a sickness she sustained less than a week ago, she played in the game and contributed nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The Wolfpack will need to rely on her and the rest of the team as they face their hometown rival in the ACC Tournament semifinals.