Hurricanes Drop ACC Matchup Against No. 24 Virginia Tech, 92-85
Jan. 23, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) – Zabian Dowdell scored a career high 30 points to help No. 24 Virginia Tech beat Miami 92-85 on Tuesday night.
Deron Washington added 23 points and scored on two separate three-point plays in the final 1:16 to secure the victory for the Hokies (15-5, 5-1 ACC), who have won six of their last seven.
After trailing most of the first half by double digits, Miami (9-12, 2-5) finally got to within 46-38 on Brian Asbury’s three-point play 3:27 into the second half.
Dowdell scored four points and A.D. Vassallo added a 3-pointer, which increased Virginia Tech’s lead to 66-53 lead with 9:19 remaining.
But the Hurricanes countered with a 9-2 spurt in the next 2:09. Jack McClinton capped the run on a 3-pointer which reduced the Hokies’ advantage to 68-62 with 7:10 remaining.
Miami got no closer than 78-74 with 2:48 left on McClinton’s basket.
Dennis Clemente scored 24 points to lead Miami, which has lost four straight. McClinton added 18 and Raymond Hicks had 16 points.
Dowdell, whose previous career high was a 25-point-performance against North Carolina A&T Dec. 7, 2005, finished 15 of 18 from the free throw line.
Dowdell, Washington and Jamon Gordon each hit 3-pointers to help the Hokies open to a 9-2 lead in the first 3:53 of the game.
