Wes Moore

No. 1 South Carolina remained undefeated in Cleveland, Ohio’s Rocket Mortgage Arena on Friday night, topping No. 3 N.C. State 78-59 in the Final Four for women’s college basketball.

Behind an impressive performance of 27 points, six rebounds and four assists from Aziaha James, North Carolina State’s women’s basketball team is going to the Final Four for the first time since 1998.

By beating N.C. State 55-51, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey became the first Black woman to win an ACC tournament title.

The ACC women's basketball tournament will experience a handful of changes over the next few seasons, adding new teams and changing venues. But for now, the focus is on the championship in Greensboro.

All three women’s college basketball teams in the Triangle — Duke, UNC and N.C. State — are ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll this week. The success of these teams is driving interest and historic ticket sales among local fans and students.

UNC went to the Sweet 16 last season. What should we expect this year? And can N.C. State defend its ACC title for the fourth straight year?

Jakia Brown-Turner hit a 3-pointer to force the second overtime and led N.C. State with 20 points. The Huskies beat North Carolina State 91-87 in a double-overtime thriller. Paige Bueckers scored 15 of her 27 points in the two extra periods.

N.C. State won its third straight ACC Tournament crown Sunday in Greensboro, topping upset-minded Miami 60-47. Elissa Cunane was named the tournament's MVP for the second straight year.

No. 4 North Carolina State won its eighth straight game, topping Virginia Tech 51-45 and limiting the Hokies to 29.3% shooting from the floor. N.C. State (18-2, 9-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) was powered by Jakia Brown-Turner, who scored 10 of her 14 points in the first quarter.

Elissa Cunane scored 20 points, making eight of her nine shots from the field, to help No. 5 N.C. State run past second-ranked Maryland 78-60 at the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship tournament.