Howard leads Deacons

<p>WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It's time for the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference to take notice: Wake Forest's Josh Howard is among the best in the league.</p><p>Howard had his second big game of the week, scoring 30 points to lead No. 19 Wake Forest to a 73-66 victory over Georgia Tech on Sunday night.</p><p>``He made a pretty strong statement about being among the best, if not the best player in the ACC,'' said Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt.</p><p>Howard, who scored 23 in Wednesday night's win over No. 17 Maryland, opened the game with a pair of 3-pointers and made big shots when needed to guide the Demon Deacons (12-1, 2-1 ACC) to their 11th consecutive home win.</p><p>Howard finished one point shy of his career high of 31, set earlier this season at Wisconsin.</p><p>He hit 3-of-4 3-pointers, went 11-for-12 at the free throw line, added three assists and blocked five shots - one with 44 seconds left that went into the stands.</p><p>``I know I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the ACC,'' Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser said. ``He possess an iron will and will not lose. I'm glad I get to coach him.''</p><p>Howard, one of just two seniors on one of the youngest squads in the ACC, had to carry the load for Wake Forest as well as settle his teammates down.</p><p>Coming off the win over Maryland, he spoke to the entire team about not following the victory with a letdown against Georgia Tech (8-6, 2-2).</p><p>``I just try to lead by example and talk the guys through it when things go wrong,'' Howard said. ``If I can do that, I'm pretty happy at the end of the night.''</p><p>Chris Bosch led Georgia Tech with 22 points and 10 rebounds and B.J. Elder added 18 points.</p>