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Dec. 22, 2001

Rutgers hopes to extend its winning streak to nine games and avoid becomingthe second straight Big East squad to lose to Virginia, when the two teamsmeet at University Hall on Sunday.

The Scarlet Knights’ eight-game streak is their longest since a similar runduring the 1988-89 season.

Herve Lamizana scored 18 points and highlighted a first-half run with four3-pointers as Rutgers (8-2) defeated Maryland-Baltimore County 67-51 onSaturday.

Lamizana led all scorers in his second game since being reinstated by theNCAA for violating an “extra benefits” rule. The 6-foot-10 sophomore sat outthe first eight games of the season for accepting a loan from former highschool teammate Sam Dalembert, now with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Scarlet Knights are led by forward Rashod Kent. The 6-foot-6 senior isaveraging 11.6 points and leads the Big East at 11.8 rebounds per game.Jerome Coleman leads the team in scoring at 14.9 points.

Rutgers, which has not won nine straight since 1982-83, will have a toughtime extending their streak against an undefeated Cavaliers squad.

Virginia is looking to go 3-0 against Big East teams this year. Thefifth-ranked Cavaliers have already beaten both Virginia Tech and Georgetownthis season.

Virginia (7-0) had 23 offensive rebounds and 25 second-chance points enroute to beating the 16th-ranked Hoyas 61-55 on Thursday in the JohnThompson Classic.

“We’re not real big,” Cavaliers coach Pete Gillen said. “But we jump prettyquickly.”

Chris Williams had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Roger Mason added 16 pointsand six assists. Mason leads Virginia in scoring with 19 points followed byWilliams’ 17.2 points a game.

The Cavaliers have won 24 straight games against non-conference opponents.

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