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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:04 a.m., Sunday, February 15, 2009

CBKB: Virginia beats No. 12 Clemson 85-81 in OT

By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Sylven Landesberg scored six of his 23 points in overtime Sunday and Virginia beat No. 12 Clemson 85-81, ending an eight-game losing streak.

Landesberg's driving basket with 13.4 seconds left in regulation tied it at 74, and he had the last six points in a 10-5 run to start the extra period for the Cavaliers (8-13, 2-8 Atlantic Coast Conference), whose only other league victory came in overtime at Georgia Tech.

Terrence Oglesby had 17 points, including five 3-pointer, for the Tigers (20-4, 6-4), but his leaning attempt with about 8 seconds left was well off the mark. When Jamil Tucker grabbed that rebound for Virginia and was fouled, the Cavaliers had their first win since Jan. 6, against Brown.

Mike Scott added 18 points, 15 after halftime, and Sammy Zeglinski had 15 for Virginia.

The Tigers got 16 points from Trevor Booker and 15 from K.C. Rivers.

On the day Virginia honored former star Sean Singletary at halftime by retiring his No. 44 jersey, Landesberg gave weary Cavaliers fans a reason for some hope in a dreary season.

After Oglesby's fifth 3-pointer gave the Tigers the lead in overtime, Tucker scored inside, Zeglinski followed a turnover with a layup and Landesberg followed a Clemson miss with another driving basket, giving the Cavaliers an 80-77 lead.

When Booker made it a one-point game with two free throws, Landesberg scored on Virginia's next two possessions, and the Tigers got no closer than three points thereafater.

In regulation, Landesberg scored on a drive with 13.4 seconds left to draw the Cavaliers even at 74, and Clemson missed three times — twice from in close — in the closing seconds.

After trailing almost throughout the first half, Clemson opened the second half on a 14-0 run to take a 39-33 lead. Oglesby hit two 3-pointers and Rivers had another as the Tigers' long-range game arrived after they missed 10 of 11 3-point shots before halftime.

But instead of fading, as it has repeatedly this season, Virginia responded. Scott scored six points in a 13-3 run that put the Cavaliers ahead 46-42. They led by as many as five, but the Tigers rallied to tie it numerous times, then went ahead 73-72 on Rivers' 10-footer with 1:20 left. His free throw with 29.4 seconds left doubled the lead before Landesberg's big drive.