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Wake Forest looks for road win at Virginia

Feb 28, 2009 - 11:08 AM No. 14 Wake Forest (21-5) at Virginia (9-15) 2:00 p.m. EST

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- Wake Forest's inability to win on the road has most likely cost it a chance at the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season crown.

If the 14th-ranked Demon Deacons can not figure out how to win away from home, they may lose out on a first-round bye in the conference tournament. They will try to snap a four-game road losing streak Saturday at Virginia.

The 16-0 start that vaulted Wake Forest (21-5, 8-5 ACC) to the top spot in the rankings is a distant memory thanks to a 5-5 record since. In each of their last four road games, the Demon Deacons have allowed at least 75 points.

A huge night by James Johnson Thursday helped Wake Forest escape with an 85-78 win over North Carolina State. The sophomore set career-highs with 28 points and 18 rebounds, but the Demon Deacons nearly blew all of a 15-point, first-half lead.

Classmate Jeff Teague had just 12 points, eight below his season average, but Ishmael Smith had a season-high 18 to hold off the Wolfpack.

Virginia (9-15, 3-10) has lost back-to-back games after recording a pair of impressive wins over Clemson and Virginia Tech.

Jeff Jones led the Cavaliers with 16 points in a 62-55 loss to Miami, Florida on Thursday.