Iowa State center Percy Gibson (24) shoots over West Virginia forward Kevin Noreen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)
AMES, Iowa – Freshman Georges Niang hit a layup with 2.5 seconds left and Iowa State beat West Virginia 69-67 Wednesday night despite blowing an 18-point lead.
Melvin Ejim had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Cyclones (12-4, 2-1 Big 12), who survived an unexpectedly wild finish for their second straight win.
Iowa State opened the second half with an 18-4 run and led by as much as 56-38. The Mountaineers (8-8, 1-3) tied it at 67 on 3 by Jabarie Hinds with 11.6 seconds left, but Niang got wide open for the game-winner underneath the basket.
Hinds had 20 points for West Virginia. Juwan Staten, the Mountaineers second-leading scorer, had seven points and seven assists after being benched by coach Bob Huggins for the previous three halves.
West Virginia missed its first 12 3-point attempts before hitting nine of its last 12.