NC State advances to Sweet 16 with 74-60 win over Maryland

The Wolfpack Women are back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2007. NC State got a big game from former Terp Kiara Leslie, who scored 21 points and grabbed 11 boards to lead the Pack past Maryland, 74-60.

NC State led by six at the break and watched its lead dwindle to one point in the third quarter, but then the Wolfpack put together a decisive 16-2 run to put the Terps away. State took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter and was able to keep Maryland well behind throughout those final 10 minutes.

All five of State’s starters scored in double figures, as the offense in general looked better than it was in the opening-round win over Elon. The Wolfpack finished the afternoon with a 50.9 eFG% and connected on half of its three-point attempts. Maryland, on the other hand, shot just 37.3% and did not make a three (0-5). That was the difference.

With the win, NC State will head to Kansas City next weekend, where it will play either No. 1 Mississippi State or No. 9 Oklahoma State. (Those two teams play on Monday.)