ATLANTA (AP) - Iman Shumpert wasn't sure he had Georgia Tech's first triple-double in more than two decades until assistant coach Darryl LaBarrie gave the junior a word of caution late in Tuesday night's game against Virginia Tech.

``Coach LaBarrie told me 'A triple-double is not good unless you win the game,'' Shumpert said. ``That's when I realized I had a triple-double.'

Advertisement

Brian Oliver scored 28 points, Shumpert had 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists and Georgia Tech continued its strong home play by beating Virginia Tech 72-57 on Tuesday night.

Shumpert added a game-high seven steals. He shut down Virginia Tech's top scorer, Malcolm Delaney, who was held to 8 points, almost 11 below his average, while making only 3 of 11 shots.

Shumpert's triple-double was the first for Georgia Tech since Kenny Anderson against Pittsburgh on Dec. 28, 1989.

``It feels good,' Shumpert said. ``I'm all smiles tonight.'

Georgia Tech (10-9, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) improved to 8-2 at home, including 3-0 in ACC games at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

Virginia Tech (13-6, 3-3) suffered only its second loss in its last 11 games. Jeff Allen had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Hokies.

Georgia Tech had its biggest lead at 62-55 when Delaney made two free throws for the Hokies with 2:47 remaining. A turnover by Georgia Tech's Glen Rice gave Virginia Tech an opening, but the Hokies gave the ball back and then had two more turnovers.

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg paced in front of his bench in frustration after the mistakes ended the Hokies' last hope for a comeback.

``It comes down to two words, smart and poised, and we weren't either,' Greenberg said. ``They played better down the stretch than we did.

``We couldn't get the stops when we needed them. When you make three turnovers at the critical stage of the game, that's hard to overcome.'

Victor Davila had 13 points for Virginia Tech. Erick Green had 9 points while making only 3 of 15 shots.

Georgia Tech has consistently struggled to defend the 3-point shot this season, ranking last in the ACC for all games. The Yellow Jackets have been especially susceptible to 3-point shots in ACC games, as opponents have made 45.3 percent of long-range shots.

For most of the game, Virginia Tech couldn't find the same success from outside that other teams have enjoyed against the Yellow Jackets.

The Hokies relied on the inside play of Allen and Davila while going without a 3 for the first 31 minutes.

Finally, with 8:27 remaining, Terrell Bell gave Virginia Tech its first 3 with a shot that tied the game at 52. It was the Hokies' only 3-pointer of the night. Virginia Tech finished 1 for 11 on 3s.

``They did a good job of contesting shots,' said Greenberg of Georgia Tech's defense.

Oliver answered quickly with a 3 for Georgia Tech. Oliver had four 3s, including three in the final 10 minutes when the Yellow Jackets took the lead.

With Georgia Tech leading 57-55, Shumpert's steal and basket pushed the advantage to four points. Oliver followed with another 3 for a 62-55 lead with 3:43 remaining.

Oliver has struggled with his shooting most of the season and was averaging only 10.4 points.

``There have been a lot of little mechanical things wrong with my shot and a lot of it is mental,' Oliver said, adding he went back to his fundamentals to end the slump. He made 11 of 18 shots, including 4 of 9 3-pointers.

Oliver said he felt comfortable shooting against Virginia Tech's zone defense.

``I feel like when a team is playing a 2-3 zone, the man isn't pushed up all the way on me,' Oliver said. ``It's more comfortable for me to attack that way.'

Anderson, the former star point guard, had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 18 assists for his triple-double against Pittsburgh.

The only other players in Georgia Tech history with triple-doubles were Bruce Dalrymple against North Carolina-Charlotte on Feb. 6, 1986 and Dennis Scott against Alcorn State on Nov. 20, 1987.