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Surging Virginia Tech seeks third straight win

Feb 18, 2007 - 3:05 PM No. 25 Virginia Tech (18-7) at NC State (13-11) 4:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Coach Seth Greenberg and Virginia Tech hope to complete their sweep of the Carolinas.

The 25th-ranked Hokies go for their third straight win when they pay a visit to Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina State on Sunday.

Most recently, Zabian Dowdell scored a career-best 33 points and Deron Washington added 12 points and 14 rebounds for Virginia Tech in Tuesday's 81-80 overtime victory over North Carolina.

The Hokies (18-7, 8-3 ACC) are undefeated in four games against ranked opponents this season, including 3-0 against top-five programs, and have won five of seven games overall.

North Carolina State (13-11, 3-8) is coming off its third consecutive setback with Wednesday's 85-70 decision here to Maryland. Brandon Costner scored 19 to lead four players in double figures in the loss.

The Wolfpack have won their last three meetings against the Hokies, who are just 4-3 away from Blacksburg this season.

Virginia Tech would like to bounce back from its 70-59 loss on January 31 in the first game to North Carolina State, which held the Hokies to just 34 percent shooting from the field.

"It really comes down to guarding people," Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe said. "It comes down to man-to-man, staying in front of a guy and really being determined to do so. That's the only way you can win in this league; you have to play defense."