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Virginia Tech looks to bounce back vs. slumping Maryland

Jan 21, 2007 - 3:16 PM No. 22 Maryland (15-4) at No. 25 Virginia Tech (13-5) 7:30 pm EST

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- Virginia Tech learned the hard way that their are no layups in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The 25th-ranked Hokies look to bounce back from a disappointing loss Sunday when they host No. 22 Maryland in an ACC showdown.

Coming off a pair of upset wins over national powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, Virginia Tech (13-5, 3-1 ACC) vaulted into the top 25 for the first time in over a decade and was flying high heading into Wednesday's matchup at struggling Florida State.

But the Hokies could not recover from a slow start, dropping an 82-73 decision to the Seminoles, who snapped a three-game skid.

Zabian Dowdell scored 23 points and Deron Washington added 18 for Virginia Tech, which lost for just the second time in its last 11 games.

The Hokies return home Sunday to host a Terrapins (15-4, 1-3) squad which has lost two of its last three contests and is winless in two ACC road games this season.

Coming off a thrilling win over then-unbeaten Clemson, Maryland struggled defensively in Tuesday's 101-93 loss at Virginia.

The Terps hope a return to the state of Virginia will yield better results five days later. Maryland has dominated the series with Virginia Tech, owning a 25-5 record in the all-time series and a 10-3 road mark.