Marcus Sasser, Tramon Mark and J'Wan Roberts lead Houston to 76-57 road win over East Carolina

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POSTED: February 25, 2023 -- 9:51 p.m. CT

GREENVILLE, NC -- (Williams Arena at Minges)

The top-ranked Houston Cougars were methodical Saturday night in a 76-57 road win over the East Carolina Pirates. Houston (27-2 overall, 15-1 in the AAC) is the 2023 American Athletic Conference men's basketball regular season champions and secures the top seed in the 2023 AAC Men's Basketball Conference Tournament inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX.

Houston's first game in the 2023 AAC Tournament will be at noon Central Time on Friday, March 10.

The Coogs scored the first 7 points of the game. East Carolina made back-to-back three-point shots to cut Houston's lead to 7-6. Then, Houston forward J'Wan Roberts scored a putback layup; Marcus Sasser scored a driving layup; and Marcus Sasser hit a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 Houston run for a 14-6 lead.

A few moments later, Sasser rolled his right ankle and was helped to the locker room. Sasser got his ankle re-taped and returned to the game later in the first half.

Houston did not shoot the ball well in the first half; but, East Carolina did not make a field goal the final 10 plus minutes of the opening half.

The Pirates made 1 of their final 21 field goals in the half to finish the half 3 for 25 (12.0%) from the floor.

Houston made 12 of 35 for 34.3 fg% in the half.

Houston led ECU 36-19 at halftime.

Sasser scored 13 points to lead the Coogs and Tramon Mark was next with 10 points.

Twenty-six seconds into the second half, ECU's Brandon Johnson made a three-pointer to open the scoring and end the Pirates' field goal drought at 11 minutes, 23 seconds.

Houston responded with 7-0 run: slam dunk and jump hook from J'Wan Roberts and 3-point basket by freshman Jarace Walker.

Houston led 43-22 with 17:55 left in the second half.

In the second half, East Carolina got within 15 points three times; but, Houston responded each time and led by as much as 24 (71-47) in the second half.

The Pirates shot 52.0% (13 for 25) from the floor in the second half; however, Houston shot 54.8% (17 for 31) in the second stanza and outscored ECU 40-38 in the second 20 minutes.

Marcus Sasser scored a game-high 22 points and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Tramon Mark scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and handed out 3 assists. J'Wan Roberts added 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Houston out-rebounded East Carolina 48-28 and outscored the Pirates 40-14 in the paint.

Houston's next game is Senior Night and takes place Thursday, March 2, at home versus the Wichita State Shockers. Tip is set for 6 p.m. Central Time on ESPN2.

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