NC State Advances to Final Four for First Time in 41 Years

NC State's improbable tournament run continued Saturday night as the Wolfpack defeated the top-seeded Wildcats 78-74 in overtime, earning a trip to the Final Four for the first time since their legendary 1983 national championship season.

The game, played before a raucous crowd at the regional final, featured 14 lead changes and was tied nine times. NC State trailed by six with under two minutes remaining in regulation before mounting a furious rally capped by a contested three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Wolfpack's suffocating defense held the Wildcats to just two field goals while converting clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the historic victory.

"Forty-one years is a long time," said the head coach, visibly emotional during the post-game press conference. "But this team believed from day one. They never stopped fighting."

The victory caps a remarkable turnaround for a program that entered the conference tournament as a .500 team. The Wolfpack have now won nine consecutive games, including five in the NCAA tournament, with each victory more dramatic than the last.

The team's leading scorer finished with 28 points, including the game-tying three-pointer, and was named Most Outstanding Player of the regional. The junior guard has averaged 24.6 points per game during the tournament run.

Fans flooded Hillsborough Street in Raleigh after the final buzzer, celebrating well into the early morning hours. University officials have announced plans for a campus-wide watch party for the Final Four game.

The Wolfpack will face the defending national champions in next Saturday's semifinal. Despite their underdog status, few are counting out a team that has made a habit of defying expectations.

"Don't ever count out the Pack," the coach said with a smile. "We've got one more mountain to climb."