Virginia Tech shocks N.C. State

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - Coleman Collins went from under the weather to on top of the world in one play, perhaps the biggest of his career at Virginia Tech.<br> <br> The second-year forward scored 20 points, including a fade-away jumper with 12.9 seconds to play Wednesday night, lifting the Hokies past North Carolina State 72-71.<br> <br> ``He just made a tough shot,&#39;&#39; Hokies coach Seth Greenberg said, commending Collins for toughing it out on a night when he wasn&#39;t feeling well.<br> <br> Collins also grabbed nine rebounds and made all 10 of his free throws, including six in the last six minutes for the Hokies (9-6, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). Zabian Dowdell added 20 points and Carlos Dixon 18 for Virginia Tech.<br> <br> The victory was a big one for the Hokies, who are in their first season in the ACC.<br> <br> ``You don&#39;t have any chance to succeed until you learn how to compete,&#39;&#39; Greenberg, in his second year at Tech, said. ``I&#39;m more proud of that than anything that happened.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Wolfpack (11-6, 1-3) was led by Julius Hodge with 23 points. He scored the last 13 points for the visitors and grabbed 12 rebounds. Hodge also had a chance to win it, but his last shot was blocked by Jamon Gordon with 3 seconds to play.<br> <br> ``You don&#39;t stop Julius Hodge. He&#39;s just too good,&#39;&#39; Greenberg said.<br> <br> Deron Washington grabbed the ball for the Hokies and was fouled. He missed both free throws with 1.6 seconds to play, but the Wolfpack failed to get off another shot.<br> <br> The game was an up-and-down struggle for the Hokies. They trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, but pulled even with 10:19 to play on a jumper by Dowdell.<br> <br> North Carolina State scored the next 11 points to lead 67-56 with 7:30 left, but Virginia Tech allowed only four points the rest of the way, closing with a 16-4 run.<br> <br> Dixon, who finished 8-for-8 from the line, and Collins combined to hit 10 straight free throws down the stretch. Tech finished 19 of 24 from the line,<br> <br> The Wolfpack led 41-32 at halftime and took its largest lead after the break when Ilian Evtimov made two free throws awarded because Hokies coach Seth Greenberg was whistled for a technical foul at halftime. Andrew Brackman&#39;s layup made it 45-32.<br> <br> Gavin Grant added 14 points and Brackman 13 and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack.

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