Hokies Just Miss Pulling Upset in South Bend

Notre Dames Demetrius Jackson (11) fouls Virginia Techs Zach LeDay (32) on a fast break during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 83-81. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

By STEVE KRAH Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame's Zach Auguste produced a double-double Wednesday night to help the Fighting Irish edge Virginia Tech 83-81 on Wednesday night in Atlantic Coast Conference basketball.

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Auguste finished with 22 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for Notre Dame (13-5, 4-2). He had 14 points and nine rebounds in the second half.

Zach LeDay paced Virginia Tech (12-7, 4-2) with 22 points.

LeDay scored the game's final basket with 41 seconds left. A 3-point attempt by Virginia Tech's Seth Allen rimmed out as time expired.

A three-play play by Demetrius Jackson at 3:23 put the Irish ahead 76-75. It was Notre Dame's first lead since 28-26 in the first half. Another three-point play, this by Auguste, gave the Irish their biggest lead of the game at 81-77 with 1:38 remaining before Allen sank two free throws. A basket by Steve Vasturia put Notre Dame up 83-79 with just under a minute left.

Jackson scored 18 points, Bonzie Colson 15 and Vasturia 14 for Notre Dame.

Allen scored 20, Justin Bibbs 12 and Shane Henry 11 for Virginia Tech.

It was a game where most of the points came either inside or at the free-throw line. Notre Dame held a 44-40 edge in points in the paint for the game, including 24-16 in the second half.

Virginia Tech led by as many as nine points early in the second half. A three-point play by Henry put the Hokies ahead 48-39.

Notre Dame tied the game at 54-all on a three-point play by Colson at the 13:23 mark. Virginia Tech answered back seconds later with a Bibbs 3-pointer and the Hokies held on to the lead until deep into the second half.

While Virginia Tech sank four 3-pointers in the first half, 12 of the Hokies' first 16 first-half field goals came in the paint.

TIP-INS

Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech is 0-3 against Notre Dame in ACC games.

Notre Dame: Notre Dame leads the all-time series against Virginia Tech 6-1.

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech: Host to North Carolina on Sunday.

Notre Dame: Host to Boston College on Saturday.