Howell leads NC State past Aztecs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Richard Howell doubled his average with 22 points and 11th-seeded North Carolina State used its muscle inside and sticky defense to upset San Diego State 79-65 on Friday in a first-round East Regional game. The Wolfpack (23-12) advances to play the winner of Belmont-Georgetown on Sunday at Nationwide Arena. Lorenzo Brown added 17 points, C.J. Leslie 15 and Scott Wood 10 for the Wolfpack, who are now 12-5 in their first NCAA games. N.C. State has won at least a game in seven of their last eight trips. Jamaal Franklin had 23 points and Chase Tapley 19 for the Aztecs (26-8).