BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Raina Perez stole the ball at midcourt and went in for a layup with 14.8 seconds left, then made a crucial rebound and hit two free throws with 1.5 left to lift No.1 seed North Carolina State to a 66-63 victory over Notre Dame in the NCAA’s Sweet 16 at Total Mortgage Arena on Saturday.
The Wolfpack will play UConn, a 75-58 winner over Indiana, in the Bridgeport Regional final on Monday night.
“That show, ‘Everybody loves Raymond?’ NC State coach Wes Moore said. “It’s now ‘Everybody loves Raina.’ It’s going to be a series for a long time. Just unbelievable.”