NC State women advance to second round despite sluggish start against Vermont, 75-55

RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC State women's basketball team continued their strong tradition in the NCAA tournament with a commanding 75-55 victory over 15th-seeded Vermont in the first round. The game, held at a sold-out Reynolds Coliseum, saw the Wolfpack, a 2-seed, overcome an early deficit to secure the win.

Vermont initially led 27-24, aiming to become the first 15-seed to win in the tournament. However, NC State's Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes helped turn the tide with key plays, and Azaiaha James added a crucial fallaway shot just before halftime, giving the Wolfpack a 35-33 lead at the break.

In the second half, NC State elevated their game. Hayes, the only multi three-point shooter in the match, and sophomore Zoe Brooks, who scored a team-high 19 points, led the charge. The victory was capped off by an alley-oop layup from James. Following State's 75-55 win, former North Pitt star Zamareya Jones spoke on her first NCAA Tournament experience.

Next, NC State will face Michigan State on Monday.

In other tournament action, the UNC Tar Heels defeated Oregon State 70-49, pulling away in the second half. Tar Heels will play West Virginia on Monday.

Ole Miss also advanced, with Kennedy Todd-Williams achieving her first double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in an 83-65 win over Ball State. Todd-Williams reflected on her mindset going into her final college tournament, saying, "I just wanted to leave it all on the court."

Ole Miss will face 4th-seeded Baylor on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

In men's basketball, the Duke Blue Devils will play Baylor in the round of 32 on Sunday at 2:40 p.m. The Blue Devils are preparing for a challenging matchup against familiar faces, including former Duke star Jeremy Roach.

In baseball, East Carolina University secured a 3-1 win over Memphis, with Braxton Tramel hitting his first career home run. ECU will aim for a series sweep in game three at noon.