CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Winning in famous arenas is getting to be a habit for the Virginia Tech men's basketball team.

In December, the Hokies beat Seton Hall in a neutral-site game at Madison Square Garden. Last month, the Hokies upset then-No. 5 Duke in overtime for their first win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

On Tuesday, the Hokies made their first visit to the Dean Smith Center a memorable one. The Hokies beat No. 4 North Carolina 81-80 in overtime, handing the Tar Heels their first home loss since last February.

"Wow. How about that?" Tech coach Seth Greenberg said.

Zabian Dowdell, who had 33 points and was 17-of-19 from the free-throw line, hugged Jamon Gordon at game's end.

"Zabe put us on his back," said Coleman Collins, who had seven points.

Tech (18-7, 8-3 ACC) swept the regular-season series. The Hokies had snapped their 18-game losing streak in the UNC series by toppling then-No. 1 Carolina 94-88 at Cassell Coliseum last month.

"We can play with anybody," said Jamon Gordon, who had 10 points. "We showed the world that we're a good team. We didn't want to let everybody think [the first win] was a fluke."

Collins ran to the stands to hug his older brother at game's end. Collins, who was 3-of-12 from the field, played on the one-year anniversary of his father's death from cancer. He was glad his brother spent his birthday at the game.

"We're going to ride back together and enjoy this one," Collins said, referring to his brother.

Tech, which is 3-0 in OT this season, moved into a three-way tie for second place. Roy Williams of UNC (22-4, 8-3) said the game was the worst coaching job of his career.

The Hokies were making their first visit to Chapel Hill since a 1975 loss at Carmichael Auditorium, before the Smith Center was built. It was Tech's first win at UNC since 1966.

"It's pretty surprising," said Deron Washington, who had 12 points and 14 rebounds. "It didn't seem like [playing at the Dean Dome] affected us much. Everybody was focused. We didn't let the crowd get to us."

Collins hit a jumper to give Tech a 75-73 lead with 4:33 left in OT. After Wayne Ellington made one of two free throws, Tyler Hansbrough (22 points) made both of his from the line to give UNC a 76-75 lead.

Dowdell drained two free throws, but Brandan Wright made a jumper to give UNC a 78-77 lead. Dowdell scored via a goaltending call to give Tech a 79-78 lead with 2:05 left. After Collins fouled out, Hansbrough made one of two free throws to tie the score with 1:52 left.

Dowdell was successful on two more attempts from the line, this time giving Tech an 81-79 lead with 1:27 to go. After Gordon fouled out, Hansbrough made one of two free throws with 13.9 seconds left to cut the lead to 81-80.

Markus Sailes of Tech missed two free throws with 7.1 seconds left, but Washington blocked two UNC shots in the final seconds.

UNC led 71-65 with 4:17 left in regulation, but the Hokies scored seven straight points. Collins scored and made a free throw, and Washington scored on a tip-in. After a UNC turnover, Dowdell sank a jumper for a 72-71 lead with 2:32 to go.

Danny Green scored to give UNC a 73-72 lead with 2:22 left in regulation. Gordon rebounded an Ellington miss with 54 seconds to go.

Washington was fouled and limped off the court. Freshman Nigel Munson came off the bench and went to the line in his place. He made one of two free throws with 36.4 seconds left to tie the score at 73.

UNC's Ty Lawson missed a 3-pointer with 1 second left in regulation, and Washington grabbed the rebound.

VIRGINIA TECH (18-7)

Washington 5-15 0-2 12, Witcher 1-2 2-2 4, Collins 3-12 1-1 7, Gordon 5-11 0-0 10, Dowdell 7-15 17-19 33, Diakite 4-6 1-2 9, Vassallo 2-10 0-0 5, Sailes 0-0 0-2 0, Munson 0-0 1-2 1, Tucker 0-0 0-0 0, Krabbendam 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-71 22-30 81.

NORTH CAROLINA (22-4)

Terry 4-9 0-0 9, Hansbrough 4-10 14-18 22, Wright 3-7 0-2 6, Ellington 4-13 5-7 14, Lawson 6-14 0-2 13, Green 2-4 2-2 6, Thompson 1-2 2-2 4, Ginyard 1-2 2-2 4, Stephenson 1-2 0-0 2, Frasor 0-1 0-2 0, Miller 0-1 0-0 0, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-65 25-37 80.

Halftime--UNC 34-30. End Of Regulation--Tied 73. 3-Point Goals--Tech 5-13 (Dowdell 2-4, Washington 2-4, Vassallo 1-3, Gordon 0-2), UNC 3-17 (Terry 1-3, Lawson 1-4, Ellington 1-6, Miller 0-1, Frasor 0-1, Green 0-2). Fouled Out--Collins, Gordon, Terry. Rebounds--Tech 43 (Washington 14), UNC 45 (Hansbrough 8). Assists--Tech 11 (Gordon, Washington 4), UNC 11 (Lawson 5). Total Fouls--Tech 23, UNC 21. A--21,750.