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TAMPA, Fla. -- After missing a layup and fouling out in the final minute, Virginia Tech point guard Zabian Dowdell bent over, tugged at his shorts and stared at the floor. He rose with a pained, frustrated look on his face. Coach Seth Greenberg held Dowdell's face in his hands and told him to keep his head up.

Saturday was not a good day for the Hokies' All-ACC first-team selection.

The senior had 15 points but was 6-of-19 from the field in a 72-64 semifinal loss to North Carolina State in the ACC Tournament.

"I'm a better player than what I showed tonight," he said. "I kind of let my teammates down because they count on me to come in and contribute the way I'm capable of contributing, and I definitely didn't do that tonight.

"I'm very disappointed in the loss."

This year's All-ACC first team won't be confused with the all-tournament team. After going 9-of-16 from the field to help Florida State win Thursday, Al Thornton was 4-of-13 in a loss to North Carolina on Friday. Sean Singletary was 6-of-16 in Virginia's loss to State, also on Friday.

After going 3-of-9 on Friday, Jared Dudley was 7-of-18 in Boston College's semifinal loss to UNC on Saturday. Tyler Hansbrough was 7-of-17 in UNC's first two tournament games combined as he struggled with the mask protecting his broken nose.

On Friday, Dowdell was 6-of-14 from the field for 13 points in Virginia Tech's quarterfinal victory over Wake Forest.

He had six assists, one turnover and three steals in that game.

In Saturday's second semifinal, it was Dowdell's turn to struggle.

"I got some good opportunities to get some easy baskets," said Dowdell.

The Hokies shot 41.9 percent from the field.

"When I went to the lane, the guys pretty much backed off. I think I did a bad job of finishing tonight. I just wasn't feeling it."

The Hokies are a safe bet to receive an at-large NCAA tournament bid today.

Dowdell said he intends to do better in his next game.

"I have to go back in the gym and get some shots up," he said. "I had a bad shooting night. I didn't come through for my team."

Dowdell was 1-of-7 from the field in the first half, when he had four of Tech's seven first-half turnovers. Courtney Fells stole the ball from him and made a layup in the opening minute. State swingman Gavin Grant said that play set the tone for the game.

"We didn't have any rhythm on offense," said Dowdell, who had one assist and two steals. "Guys weren't really working as a team."

Dowdell scored 11 points in the second half, but he missed a layup with Tech down 56-50 with 3:20 to go.

With Tech down 58-52 with 1:57 left, Dowdell missed a jumper.

Fells sank a wide-open 3-pointer for a 61-52 cushion that sealed the win.

"I got some pretty clean looks," Dowdell said. "I was able to get to the basket at will.

"Things just weren't going my way tonight. I just tried not to hurt my team's chances by doing anything stupid."