Instant observations: NC State punches ticket to Sweet 16 in OT win over Oakland

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Mar 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Mohamed Diarra (23) shoots the ball against Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Chris Conway (2) during the first half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH — NC State led for nearly the entire game, and its fired legs appeared to catch up down the stretch in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. But the Wolfpack dug deep to hang with Oakland and force overtime. That five-minute stretch may have been grueling, but the 11-seed Wolfpack found a way to beat the 14-seed Golden Grizzlies 79-73 to advance to the Sweet 16. NC State will play on the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. It will head to Dallas next week and play either Marquette or Colorado in the Sweet 16. Graduate forward DJ Burns led the Wolfpack with 24 points, while graduate guard Casey Morsell added 11. Junior forward Mohamed Diarra had another double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.