RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Akela Maize scored eight of her 18 points in the final five minutes as North Carolina State beat No. 10 Florida State 65-56 on Thursday night.
Kiara Leslie added 16 points for the Wolfpack (18-5, 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who won their sixth consecutive game.
Maize was helped off the court after twisting her right ankle early in the third quarter, but she returned and scored in the lane to break a 47-47 tie with 4:14 to play in the game.
Maize added another basket and four consecutive free throws to help N.C. State build a 58-50 lead with 1:53 remaining.
Kaila Ealey scored 14 points and Chelsea Nelson had 11 for the Wolfpack.
Imani Wright scored 13 points to lead Florida State (18-4, 6-3), which lost for the second game in a row.
Nausia Woolfolk and Shakayla Thomas added 10 points each for the Seminoles.
BIG PICTURE
Florida State: The Seminoles haven't been the same since they knocked off undefeated Louisville on Jan. 21. Florida State was routed at home by Notre Dame 100-69 on Sunday and has failed to make more than one-third of its shots in back-to-back games.
N.C. State: The Wolfpack stayed red hot and showed that they are worthy of a spot in the Top 25. N.C. State played excellent defense against the ACC's highest scoring team, holding the Seminoles to 33-percent shooting from the floor.
UP NEXT
Florida State looks to get back on track at Pittsburgh on Sunday, capping a stretch of four road trips in five games.
N.C. State hosts Boston College on Sunday, continuing a stretch in which it will play at home four times in five games.
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