In the world of college basketball, the journey to the Final Four is one of the most grueling and prestigious. Teams battle through the highs and lows of an entire season, facing off against top-tier competition with one singular goal: to secure a spot in the final weekend of the NCAA tournament. The road to this coveted achievement is rarely smooth, often fraught with emotional highs, crushing lows, and moments that define legacies. For the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team, their journey to the Final Four in 2025 was a story of resilience, teamwork, and the emergence of one of the most unstoppable players in recent memory: Aziaha James. When they faced Texas in a nail-biting, high-pressure Elite Eight game, it was Aziaha James who stepped up in a way that will go down in Wolfpack history.
The game against Texas was one of those matchups that could have been scripted for the silver screen: two powerhouse programs, both boasting elite rosters and a history of deep tournament runs, squaring off for a chance to advance to the Final Four. For the Wolfpack, the stakes could not have been higher. After an exhilarating regular season and a strong showing in the earlier rounds of the NCAA Tournament, they found themselves on the verge of making history. But standing in their way was Texas, a team that had been dominating on both ends of the floor and had shown their ability to shut down some of the best offenses in the country.
However, the Wolfpack was ready for the challenge. With an experienced and well-rounded team, the matchup was a chance for them to prove that they belonged among the elite. But even within the framework of a talented roster, one player stood out in this particular game, and that was Aziaha James.
Aziaha James had been a force for the Wolfpack all season. Her contributions on both ends of the floor were undeniable. As a versatile forward, she could score from almost anywhere on the court. She was a nightmare in transition, a force on the glass, and someone who could step up in clutch moments when her team needed it most. As the Wolfpack approached the game against Texas, there was a quiet confidence surrounding James.
When the game began, it quickly became clear that Texas was going to be a tough challenge. The Longhorns came out aggressive, using their size and athleticism to dominate the paint. The Wolfpack struggled early on to get into an offensive rhythm, and Texas appeared to be gaining control. But James was not one to shy away from adversity. From the opening tip-off, she asserted herself on both ends of the court.
It didn’t take long for James to make her presence felt. In the first quarter, she began by doing what she does best—attacking the rim. Texas had one of the best defenses in the nation, but they simply couldn’t stop her. With a combination of strength, agility, and a refined skill set, she scored in a variety of ways. A quick spin move to get past her defender led to a fast-break layup. A silky smooth jump shot from the mid-range found nothing but net. She even knocked down a three-pointer, showing off her range and versatility. In that first quarter, it became apparent that the game was going to be more of a challenge for Texas than they had initially anticipated.
Yet, even as the Wolfpack began to claw back into the game, Texas remained a formidable opponent. They answered every run by the Wolfpack with one of their own, and it was clear this wasn’t going to be a one-player show. Other members of the Wolfpack, such as their point guard and center, were stepping up to contribute. But it was James who kept the game close. Every time Texas would seem to gain a foothold, James would come through with a basket, a steal, or a rebound to keep the momentum on the Wolfpack’s side.
As the game wore on, James’ performance only escalated. By halftime, she had put up 18 points and had grabbed several key rebounds. She was everywhere—challenging shots, making plays, and showing leadership when her team needed it most. Her ability to perform in high-pressure situations had been evident throughout the tournament, but against Texas, it was as if she was playing a different game altogether. While some players might shrink in the face of such a high-stakes matchup, James thrived. The more pressure Texas applied, the more she excelled.
In the second half, the intensity ratcheted up even further. Texas, desperate to assert their dominance, began to double-team James every time she touched the ball. Yet, the beauty of James’ game was that she wasn’t just a scorer. She had an innate ability to read the defense, to understand when to attack and when to pass. As Texas focused more on containing her, James used her vision and basketball IQ to create opportunities for her teammates. The Wolfpack offense began to flow more freely, and it was clear that James was the catalyst behind it all.
By the fourth quarter, it was evident that the game was going to come down to the wire. The tension in the arena was palpable. With the game tied and just under a minute left on the clock, James once again proved why she was unstoppable. After a crucial steal on the defensive end, she pushed the ball up the court with speed and precision. The Texas defense was scrambling, knowing they had to stop her before she could create another opportunity. But James, ever the cool customer, used a series of pump fakes to create just enough space for a pull-up jumper. The ball soared through the air, and the crowd held its breath as it swished through the net, giving the Wolfpack a two-point lead with 30 seconds left.
Texas had one last chance to tie the game, but they were forced to settle for a contested three-pointer that missed its mark. The Wolfpack grabbed the rebound, and the final buzzer sounded. The Wolfpack had won, and Aziaha James had delivered one of the most iconic performances in NCAA tournament history. Her final stat line was nothing short of spectacular: 32 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. More than just the numbers, however, it was her presence on the court, her ability to step up when it mattered most, that made her performance unforgettable.
The Wolfpack’s win over Texas was not just a testament to their team’s depth and resilience—it was a moment that solidified Aziaha James as one of the best players in the country. Her ability to rise to the occasion in the most critical moments was the difference-maker in what was, without a doubt, the most difficult test of their tournament run.
After the game, head coach Wes Moore praised James for her leadership and poise under pressure. “She’s been incredible for us all season, but tonight, she was on a different level. She willed us to victory, and I couldn’t be prouder of her,” he said. His words were echoed by teammates, who recognized that James’ individual brilliance had fueled the collective success of the team.
Looking ahead, the Wolfpack would carry the momentum from that monumental win into the Final Four. But no matter what happened in the next games, the victory over Texas and the performance of Aziaha James would go down as one of the defining moments in Wolfpack women’s basketball history. It was a performance that captured the heart and soul of a team on a mission, a team that knew they had a once-in-a-lifetime player in James—someone who could carry them to the pinnacle of college basketball.
For James, the win was just another step in her basketball journey, but it would be a step that forever defined her legacy. The Wolfpack’s journey to the Final Four was far from over, but the unforgettable victory over Texas and James’ dominance in that game had already made it a historic run. As the Wolfpack prepared for the challenges ahead, they knew that they had a player capable of leading them all the way to the championship. The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was Aziaha James’ stage, and she was ready to shine.