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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Clemson coach Oliver Purnell says he hopes to have injured point guard Demontez Stitt available to face Virginia Tech.

Purnell said Stitt has gradually increased his activity at practice this week and planned to work as hard as he could Friday and see how his foot responded.

The junior has missed the Tigers (16-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) past two game with a foot injury suffered last month in a win at North Carolina State. The junior played in Clemson's next three games before Purnell chose to rest him in a 75-68 loss at Boston College.

Stitt had expected to play last Sunday night against Maryland. However, he sat on the bench in street clothes as backup Andre Young helped the Tigers to a 62-53 victory over the Terps.

Stitt is the team's second-leading scorer at 11.2 points a game.

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