Texas's season ends after loss to NC State in the Elite 8
Texas Women's Basketball took on the NC State Wolfpack for a chance to take on South Carolina in the Final Four in Cleveland. It looked like the Longhorns were on their way to winning until Aziaha James caught fire. The Wolfpack would upset Texas 76-66.
By Brian Sweet
Texas Women's Basketball took on the NC State Wolfpack this afternoon for a birth in the Final Four. The game looked like it was in the Longhorn's favor until Wolfpack Senior guard Aziaha James had a career game this afternoon.
The Wolfpack beat the Longhorns 76-66 to pull off the upset. It's bittersweet for the Longhorns because they looked like they would be taking on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. Here are the three takeaways from the loss against the Wolfpack.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack: 3. Holding Shaylee Gonzales scoreless
You must give NC State for taking Gonzales out of the game for the Longhorns. Not having a shooter from beyond the arc made the Longhorns change their game plan as the game went along. It shows that one little thing could derail a team's tournament run and was costly for Texas this afternoon. The Wolfpack shut down the front of the rim and took away that as well. It's one of the reasons why the Longhorns season came to an end this afternoon.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack: 2. Three point line
Before the game was played, both coaches were talked to about the three-point lines not being equal. Both teams decided to play anyway instead of postponing the game.
Texas Longhorns Women's Basketball Coach Vic Schaefer might regret that decision with how Wolfpack Senior guard Aziaha James played this afternoon. She made 85 percent of her three-point shots this afternoon and finished with 27 points. James will give the Gamecocks a run for their money on Friday night.
Texas Women's Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack: 1. Allowing their other best players to score
The Wolfpack secondary scorers also played a pivotal role in their win today. They allowed Wolfpack Junior guard Saniya Rivers and Senior center River Baldwin to score 21 combined points. With the final score close at the end of the game, the Longhorns will look back and wonder if defending their other players could have helped them win. It was an incredible season for the Longhorns in their final season in the Big 12.
It would have been nice to go to the Elite 4, but NC State deserves to advance after winning.
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