The last time N.C. State reached the NCAA tournament, in 2014, Dominique Wilson was ineligible to play, having transferred from Arkansas that season.
The Wolfpack set out for Los Angeles without her and returned after losing 72-57 in a first-round game to BYU.
Absent from the tournament for two seasons, N.C. State returned Friday, beating Auburn 62-48 in the opening round, and Wilson flourished.
The senior guard scored 23 points –10 above her average.
The Wolfpack, seeded No. 6 in the Lexington Regional, on Sunday will meet the winner of Friday’s game between Texas and Central Arkansas.