North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State to Celebrate 25 Year Anniversary of 1998 Final Four at Jan. 8 Home Game
12/8/2022 12:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – NC State women's basketball and NC State Athletics will honor the 25th anniversary of the team's 1998 Final Four run at the upcoming Jan. 8 game against Virginia.
The home matchup with the Cavaliers will serve as a reunion for the members of the 1997-98 squad, and the former players and staff who are able to attend will be recognized during a special halftime ceremony. Limited tickets remain for the game, which is set for a 3 p.m. tip-off inside Reynolds Coliseum. Fans interested in attending to be a part of the celebration can purchase their tickets here.
In addition to the in-game recognition of the 1997-98 team, the Pack will wear special adidas uniforms that honor the history of Reynolds Coliseum and pay homage to the special moments that have occurred on the team's home court.
NC State will also be giving away special edition "Wolfpack Legacy" shirts to the first 200 fans in attendance.
The 1998 Final Four remains the only national semifinal appearance in 48 completed seasons of NC State women's basketball. That year's team went 25-7 overall and spent the final 15 weeks of the campaign ranked in the Top 25 before finishing the year at No. 10 nationally.
After 23 years at NC State, head coach Kay Yow found herself on the bench at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City. NC State advanced to the Sweet 16 when it defeated No. 1 seed Old Dominion and then moved on to hand UConn a loss in the Elite Eight. Senior Chasity Melvin made the most of her trip to the Final Four, completing her campaign for All-America honors. After scoring 37 points in the semifinals versus Louisiana Tech, a career-high and then an NCAA women's tournament scoring record, she was named to the All-Final Four Team.
The Pack's efforts leading up to the Final Four game included a pair of wins inside Reynolds Coliseum and two victories at the team's regional in Dayton, Ohio.
NC State had five players in double figures as it cruised past Maine, 89-64, in the first round. Melvin led the way with 20 points, freshman Tynesha Lewis had 16 and LySchale Jones and Nailah Wallace added 14 points apiece. The Wolfpack took an 18-point lead into the locker room at halftime and did not let up until it had solidified its advancement.
With Melvin on the bench and in foul trouble in the Pack's Sweet 16 outing against Old Dominion, Wolfpack center Summer Erb stepped up to the call when her team needed her most. She contributed 17 points and nine rebounds for her biggest output of the tournament. Trailing 45-39, Erb and Lewis hit back-to-back layups, with Lewis tying the score on a short jumper. A basket by Erb, two free throws by Melvin and a basket by Lewis completed a 12-0 run for the Wolfpack and sealed a win over the region's No. 1 seed to advance to the regional finals.
The Pack took down its second national power two days later and earned its trip to the NCAA Final Four. Packing a potent defense and an iron will, NC State took down perennial powerhouse UConn 60-52. Melvin led the way for the Wolfpack with 18 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs. The Huskies had a 10-point lead early in the second half, but Melvin scored eight of her 18 during a 14-0 run that brought the Wolfpack back into the game. UConn tied the score twice after NC State's comeback, but the Wolfpack hit eight free throws down the stretch to thwart any hope the Huskies had.
More information about the 1998 Final Four reunion and celebration game on Jan. 8 will be communicated to fans on social media and GoPack.com as the game approaches.
