North Carolina State 80, Virginia Tech 63: Richard Howell recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds for his 17th double-double of the season as the Wolfpack held off the Hokies in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament at Greensboro, N.C.

C.J. Leslie contributed 15 points while T.J. Warren and Scott Wood each added 13 apiece for fifth-seeded North Carolina State (23-9), which plays Virginia in the quarterfinals on Friday. Lorenzo Brown chipped in with nine points and 12 assists for the Wolfpack, who shot 52.8 percent.

Jarell Eddie led the way with 21 points for 12th-seeded Virginia Tech (13-19), which has dropped 13 of its last 15 games. National scoring leader Erick Green had 15 points for the Hokies, converting only 5-of-19 shots.

There were nine lead changes in the first half before Warren ignited a late 10-2 run for North Carolina State with a pair of baskets, including a dunk. Howell scored 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting as the Wolfpack settled for a 38-32 lead at intermission.

Virginia Tech pulled with 43-38 on a basket by Eddie with 16:47 remaining, but that was as close as the Hokies would get. The Wolfpack later pushed the lead to 17 with an 11-0 run and held off a mild rally by Virginia Tech.

GAME NOTEBOOK: North Carolina State has won the most games (47) in back-to-back seasons since 1987-88 and 1988-89, when it won 46. … Green finished the season with a program-record 801 points. … Wood had three 3-pointers to pull within three of tying Rodney Monroe’s career school record of 322.