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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Travis Watson had a career-high 20
points and Donald Hand had all 17 of his points in the second half
as Virginia beat North Carolina State (No. 24 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, unranked AP) for the 12th straight time at home Saturday night, 88-82.
The Cavaliers (16-8, 6-5 ACC) ran off six straight points -- four
by Watson -- after falling behind at 66-65 with 6:07 left, then
closed out the Wolfpack for the 14th time in their last 18
meetings, ending a three-game losing streak.
North Carolina State (15-7, 5-6), which dropped into fifth place
in the ACC behind the surprising Cavaliers, lost despite 25 points
from Kenny Inge and 19 from Damien Wilkins.
Virginia used an 11-2 run early in the second half to go ahead
47-43 and led by as many as six until Clifford Crawford came on and
scored eight points during a 15-8 run that put the Wolfpack ahead
for the first time since just after halftime.
But Watson, who also had 12 rebounds, responded with an
8-footer, Donald Hand followed with a free throw and Watson scored
again, this time from 4 feet away, to make it 70-66. A free throw
by Chris Williams made the lead five.
Inge converted both ends of a one-and-one to stem the tide
momentarily, but Adam Hall's basket and another free throw by
Williams all but sealed the outcome.
The Wolfpack did get within 83-80 when Damien Wilkins converted
three free throws with 21.7 seconds left. Majestic Mapp then made
one of two foul shots with 21.1 seconds left to make it 84-80,
Gainey scored on a layup with 16.6 seconds to go and Hand hit two
free throws with 8.4 seconds to play to clinch the victory.
The loss was the third in a row for the Wolfpack.
Hall also contributed a sensational soaring block to the
outcome. The play came with just over two minutes left as Justin
Gainey attempted a fast break layup that would have pulled North
Carolina State to within five. But Hall closed quickly on Gainey,
anticipated the shot and slapped it away as the crowd roared.
The Wolfpack led 37-32 after a very physical first half in which
Inge dominated the smaller Cavaliers for 15 points, including four
dunks, and Watson and Keith Friel kept Virginia from getting blown
out of University Hall.
Watson had eight of Virginia's first 12 points, and Friel had
eight in a span of 1:40 late in the half. His two 3-pointers were
Virginia's first makes outside 8 feet.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
North Carolina State Clubhouse
Virginia Clubhouse
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