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Landesberg, Virginia end eight-game skid

Feb 15, 2009 - 10:26 PM CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- With a former star on hand, Sylven Landesberg helped give struggling Virginia some momentum heading into a rivalry game.

Landesberg tied the game in regulation and scored six of his 23 points in overtime to help Virginia end an eight-game skid with an 85-81 upset of No. 11 Clemson on Sunday.

Mike Scott added 18 points for the Cavaliers (8-13, 2-8 ACC), who had not lost nine straight games since 1961-62.

The Cavaliers earned the stunning win on the same day they retired Sean Singletary's No. 44 jersey. Now they have some confidence heading into Wednesday's game against Virginia Tech.

A freshman, Landesberg put on a show that Singletary would appreciate. His teammates did, too. Virginia hadn't won since January 6.

"It feels good to have this monkey off our back," said Sammy Zeglinski, who scored 15 points. "We're going to come in Wednesday night with a lot of emotion, a lot of energy, and we're going to compete."

"Frist of all, it was our first win in a few games. Second of all it was against a top-15 team. So it feels really good," Landesberg said.

Clemson had a chance to it late, but Terrence Oglesby air-balled a 3-pointer with six seconds left. Oglesby finished with 17 points for the Tigers (20-4, 6-4 ACC), who shot just 37 percent (10-of-27) in the first half.

The poor start and 20 turnovers spelled doom for the Tigers.

"Virginia really took it to us in the first half of the game," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said.

Landesberg took it to them in the second half and overtime.

He tied the game with 13.4 seconds left in regulation, then scored six straight points in overtime.

Landesberg's layup with 1:03 remaining gave Virginia an 84-79 lead.

"We continue to go to him," Virginia coach Dave Leitao said. "He has proven this early in his career that he is not only a really good player but also a big money player."

David Potter drew Clemson within 84-81 with a pair of free throws with 57 seconds left. The Tigers then got a stop on defense and had a chance to tie with 30 seconds left.

Oglesby, who had already hit 5-of-9 from 3-point range, dribbled around a screen and launched a leaning 3-pointer looking to draw contact. No foul was called, and Clemson was forced to foul.

Jamil Tucker made one of two free throws, and Demontez Stitt's 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.

Prior to Landesberg's heroics at the end of regulation, K.C. Rivers' elbow jumper put the Tigers ahead, 73-72, with 1:20 to play.

However, Rivers left the door open by hitting just one of two free throws on the next possession. Landesberg then drove the lane for the tying layup. Landesberg said he was forced to ad-lib.

"It wasn't planned like that at all," he said. "I was supposed to come off the screen, and get a shooter in the corner, but they switched on the screen, so I had to attack."

Rivers finished with 15 points and Trevor Booker added 16 for the Tigers, who trailed, 33-25, at halftime. They got back into the game by opening the second half on a 14-0 run.

Rivers had a plausible explanation for the loss.

"They played well at home, that's what happened," Rivers said. "They played well at their own court. They're not a bad team; they're pretty good."