2017 NCAA WBB Tournament: N.C. State 62, Auburn 48

Cheryl Treworgy, TSN via PrettySporty.com
Cheryl Treworgy, TSN via PrettySporty.com

AUSTIN, TEXAS – The sixth-seeded N.C. State Wolfpack advanced to the next round of play in the 2017 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament with a 62-48 win over the 11th-seeded Auburn Tigers at the Frank Erwin Center on Friday.

Dominique Wilson’s 23 points led the Wolfpack (23-8) along with 13 points from Miah Spencer.

A strong rebounding effort was led by Jennifer Mathurin and Ashley Williams who both claimed 10 rebounds against a longer Auburn lineup.

Leading 11-9 early in the opening quarter, N.C. State took advantage of poor shooting by the Tigers (17-15) and pushed the lead up to 21-11 heading into the second.

The Wolfpack didn’t look back from there, holding Auburn to 1-of-12 shooting from the field.

N.C. State led 32-15 at halftime.

The Wolfpack took advantage of another poor quarter from Auburn to lead 49-23, containing the Tigers to 20-percent shooting in the third.

With only Janiah McKay reaching double-digit scoring with 12 points, and even a 41-percent shooting final quarter, outscoring N.C. State 25-13 with its depth personnel on the floor, Auburn couldn’t dig out of the hole that the Wolfpack had placed them in.

The Wolfpack advanced to next face No. 3 seed and host Texas on Sunday after claiming its 20th NCAA Tournament win – 20-22 overall – while posting its best Tournament defensive finish in program history by limiting the Tigers to only 48 points scored.