Aziaha James on knocking down three-pointers to build NC State's double-digit lead: 'I'm going to keep doing it and keep driving'

Aziah James went off in the first half in Portland to help No. 3 NC State be up a dozen over No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight. However, it’s going to take another successful half for the Wolfpack to earn that spot in the Final Four.

James spoke heading into halftime after her early outing put her team up at 43-31 over the Longhorns. She said she just played it out with how Texas was defending her, which allowed her to get going from three-point range.

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“They’re sagging off of me sometimes so just hitting the threes has been good for me right now,” said James. “So I’m going to keep doing it and keep driving.”

James scored 21 points in just the first half of the contest. That’s 12 more than anyone else in the game as no other player has even reached double digits by the break. She’s doing it efficiently too as she made seven of her 10 shot attempts, including a perfect five of five from distance.

Still, with a whole other half to play, James knows their Elite Eight game is far from over. NC State will have to battle with the Longhorns some more over the final stretch in order to truly close it out and get themselves to Cleveland.

“You know, they’re going to still fight hard. It’s still a game,” said James. “You never doubt another team so we want to keep going ourselves. It’s going to be a game.”

ESPN: Portland arena three-point lines uneven for Texas vs. NC State showdown in Elite 8

Only minutes before game time between Texas and NC State in the Elite Eight, confusion swept over the floor. Evidently, the 3-point lines on each side of the court were slightly different distances. The ESPN broadcast provided further details on the bewildering situation.

“The NCAA was made aware that the top of the key to the 3-point line, the space on either side of the floor looked to be different,” ESPN’s Courtney Lyle said. “The NCAA notified both coaches and at approximately noon local time, 3 p.m. ET, both Wes Moore and Vic Schaefer came out to the floor to take a look at it.

“They asked for the NCAA to measure and they did that. They simply measured from the baseline to the top of the 3-point line and found there was a discrepancy on one end of the floor from the other. Both Vic Schaefer and Wes Moore have agreed to go ahead and play this game to avoid any delays.”

how does one make a court with different 3 point lines on each side pic.twitter.com/PWJkEe00Ho

— jaiden (@steph_turkey) March 31, 2024

Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the NCAA moved the women’s basketball 3-point line to 22 feet, 1¾ inches from the basket. With the teams switching directions at the half, each team will have an opportunity to shoot on the side with the correct measurements.