Aziaha James poured in a career-high 36 points and No. 14 North Carolina State overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half to beat No. 10 Duke 89-83 on Monday in Raleigh, N.C.
The host Wolfpack (18-4, 10-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) earned their seventh consecutive victory overall and their 18th straight home win. The Blue Devils (17-5, 8-2) had their five-game winning streak end.
Duke led 47-34 early in the third quarter before NC State began to rally. Behind 12 points in the period from James, the Wolfpack pulled within 62-58 by the end of the frame.
James put up all of NC State’s points in a 9-2 run early in the fourth quarter as the hosts went ahead 70-68. Taina Mair replied with a 3-pointer to briefly give Duke the lead back, but the Wolfpack went back on top thanks to a tip-in from Lorena Awou.
The Blue Devils subsequently tied the game twice but never regained the lead. NC State’s Zoe Brooks sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final seconds to seal the outcome. Brooks finished with 15 points, and teammate Saniya Rivers had 13.
Duke got 23 points from Ashlon Jackson, 21 from Mair and 11 from Toby Fournier, while Oluchi Okananwa logged nine points and 10 rebounds.
–Field Level Media
