With less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation, sophomore guard Shayla Fields missed two possible game-winning free throws. In overtime with N.C. State up five, she turned the ball over and Baylor responded with a fast-break layup — making it a one-possession game late in overtime.

Then, she made what she called the biggest play of her basketball career.

“The coaches called the play for me,” Fields said. “I just took the shot, and thank God it went in.”

Her 3-pointer from the left-baseline corner put the Wolfpack up by six points with less than a minute remaining — clinching State’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2001.

The 78-72 overtime win at the RBC Center Tuesday night moved coach Kay Yow to 19-19 in postseason play. The team has also won 12 of its 14 games since Yow’s return.

Fields said it’s a boost for the team when the coaches keep their players in the game, even after making a mistake.

“After those two free throws and a couple turnovers, I had lost my confidence a little bit,” Fields said. “My teammates and my coaches kept me in the game. They told me I was going to get another chance. I got the chance to hit the shot, and it went in.”

Even though Yow said she thought Fields would knock down the free throws in regulation, Yow was sure she could hit the big shot if needed — something she had done earlier in the season against Virginia Tech.

“I would have bet she would have hit those free throws. For whatever reason they didn’t go down,” Yow said. “She has a strong mindset. We had confidence really. If she could set and take that shot, it have a good chance of going down.

And the first-year starter did just that.

Fields, who played all 45 minutes, finished the game with 14 points, four rebounds and six turnovers.

Senior guard Marquetta Dickens said top-notch players know how to bounce back from a mistake.

“A great player that makes a mistake on the court, they can’t get down on themselves,” Dickens said. “You have to turn around and do something about it — whether it’s play defense or hit a big shot like she did.”

Aside from Fields, junior forward Khadijah Whittington finished the game with a career-high 23 points. She tacked on 11 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season.

Senior center Gillian Goring and senior guard Ashley Key also finished the game in double figures. Key left the game in overtime after getting a cramp in her calf. She returned to play in the final minute of the game. She’s expected to play in the Sweet 16.

State now travels to Fresno, Calif., where it will play No. 1-seeded Connecticut.

Asked whether there was a possibility she might not make the trip to Fresno, Yow couldn’t do anything but smile.

“There’s not a chance,” Yow said.