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Clemson, Virginia Tech set for another ACC clash

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:23 AM No. 11 Clemson (17-2) at Virginia Tech (14-5) 7:00 p.m. EST

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference prior to the 2004-05 season, Virginia Tech has become accustomed to playing down to the wire when it meets Clemson.

The Hokies host the 11th-ranked Tigers Thursday as the teams jostle for position in the top half of the league standings.

Clemson (17-2, 3-2) has taken four of six matchups from Virginia Tech in conference play, but none of the victories have come easy. Each of the half-dozen contests have been decided by five points or less, with three games coming down to a single point.

The Tigers, who have won three straight in the series, got back in the win column in their last contest against Georgia Tech after dropping two straight. Following a 16-0 start to the season, Clemson lost games to a pair of top six teams, Wake Forest and North Carolina.

Behind 18 points from Terrence Oglesby and a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds from Trevor Booker, Clemson pulled away in the second half en route to a 73-59 over the Yellow Jackets on Sunday.

Virginia Tech (14-5, 4-1) has won four straight in ACC play after being routed by Duke in its conference opener. One of those wins came against then-No. 1 Wake Forest last Wednesday.

The Hokies needed a pair of big-time performances and overtime to top Miami on Sunday. Malcolm Delaney had 29 points and A.D. Vassallo scored 28 as Virginia Tech captured its fifth straight win and ninth in its last 10.