Recap: West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech

Morgantown, WV (Sports Network) - Juwan Staten's layup with five seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner as the West Virginia Mountaineers survived with a 68-67 win over Virginia Tech in non-conference action at WVU Coliseum.

Staten finished with just six points, shooting 1-of-6 from the floor, while Aaric Murray produced 15 points and seven rebounds for the Mountaineers (4-3) as they won their third straight outing. Kevin Noreen recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Eron Harris accounted for 10 points off the bench.

The Hokies (7-1) were paced by Erick Green with 23 points and 10 assists, followed by Robert Brown with 21 points as the squad suffered its first loss of the campaign.

West Virginia, which led by as many as 12 points late in the first half, shot just 36.4 percent from the floor in the period as it generated a 30-24 advantage at the break.

In the second half the Mountaineers again hit on less than 35 percent from the field, but made a significant difference with 7-of-15 accuracy beyond the arc in the frame.

The Mountaineers took a 66-64 lead with 33.9 seconds left to play, but on the ensuing possession Brown converted an unorthodox three-pointer that banked off the glass with 17.2 seconds remaining on the clock to give VaTech a 67-66 edge.

Staten then stepped up and saved the day for the hosts as he gathered an inbounds pass at the offensive end of the floor and drove down the right side of the lane for an uncontested shot.

In a game that featured five ties and 12 lead changes, WVU won the battle of the boards, 49-38, and turned the ball over just seven times to compensate for a disappointing 10-of-18 showing at the free-throw line.