Instant observations: NC State races past Virginia Tech behind Aziaha James’ big night

NC State senior guard Aziaha James took the pass in the left corner as a defender draped her every move. But as she looked to create space, James faked a drive and used her lethal stepback to leave Virginia Tech’s Matilda Ekh on the ground.  That opened up enough room for James to knock down her first triple of the game with a wide-open look. That move, which she followed with an off-balance runner that James banked home in the first quarter, signaled the Virginia Beach, Va., native was on a different level against the Hokies.  James, who was on pace to outscore Virginia Tech in the opening frame, propelled NC State past the Hokies 85-57 as she scored 25 points on Sunday evening inside Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack’s elite-level scorer also added five rebounds and four assists to help NC State earn its fifth consecutive win and it snapped a four-game losing streak against Virginia Tech.  While James was efficient on 10-of-18 shooting, senior guard Saniya Rivers added 17 points, and senior guard Madison Hayes and Zoe Brooks scored 12 points each. Here are three observations from the Wolfpack’s fifth straight win.