Matt Harpring, left, of Georgia Tech grabs a loose ball Saturday Dec. 27, 1997 at the Miami Arena in Miami as his teammate Michael Maddox, right looks on. Georgia Tech beat Miami 69-61. Watching the play is Miami's Vernon Jennings.AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta

Tech hands Miami first loss

Web posted December 28, 1997

MIAMI - Matt Harpring, who had been questionable with a bruised heel, scored 24 points as Georgia Tech handed Miami its first loss of the season 69-61 in the Orange Bowl Classic on Saturday.

Miami (9-1) was attempting to start a season with 10 wins for the first time in school history.

Harpring, the ACC's leading scorer and rebounder, injured his right foot in Tuesday's loss to rival Georgia, but showed no ill effects against the Hurricanes.

Dion Glover had 16 points for the Yellow Jackets (8-3) and Michael Maddox added 13.

Georgia Tech had three players in double figures in rebounds led by Harpring's 12. Glover and Maddox had 10 apiece as the Yellow Jackets dominated Miami on the boards 53-40.

Miami, which is off to its best start since the 1962-63 season, was led by Tim James with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Trailing by three at the half, Miami led only once, 32-31, in the second half.

Georgia Tech opened up a 13-point lead with 5:11 to play on a 3-point play by Harpring.

Twice Miami got within five, the last on a pair of free throws by Mario Bland with 1:33 left, but couldn't get any closer.

The Hurricanes weren't helped by a 1 for 13 shooting performance from beyond the 3-point line.

There were seven lead changes and five ties in a closely contested first half. Each team led by as many as six, with the Yellow Jackets taking a 31-28 lead at halftime.

Georgia Tech is now 2-0 against Big East competition after defeating St. John's in the Puerto Rico Shootout.

Freshman Alvin Jones had seven blocks against Miami. He's ranked second nationally with a 5.1 average.

Kevin Norris, Miami's point guard, was taken to the hospital after the game, suffering from a possible asthma attack.