Men’s college basketball

No. 1 Houston tops East Carolina

FORT WORTH, TEXAS >> Marcus Sasser scored 30 points and top-ranked Houston got its 30th win of the season, 60- 46 over East Carolina in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday.

The Cougars (30-2), a sure-bet No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, have back- to- back 30-win seasons for the first time since their Phi Slama Jama era. Houston made three consecutive Final Four appearances from 1982-84, and was national runner-up in back-toback seasons — winning 31 games in 1982-83 and 32 the next season.

Jamal Shead added 12 points for Houston, which won despite shooting a season-low 28.1% (16 of 57) from the field. Houston plays fourth-seeded Cincinnati in the AAC semifinals Saturday.

East Carolina freshman forward Ezra Ausar had 18 points and a season-high 19 rebounds, his third doubledouble this season. The Pirates (16-17) had a seasonlow scoring total and shot 31.4% (16 of 51).

No. 3 Kansas 71, Iowa State 58

KANSAS CITY, MO. >> Jalen Wilson had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Gradey Dick made a couple of crucial baskets during a secondhalf run that gave Kansas control, and the thirdranked Jayhawks beat Iowa State to reach the Big 12 Tournament title game.

Dick finished with 15 points for the top- seeded Jayhawks (27- 6), who fell behind early in the second half before the defending champs rallied to reach Saturday night’s title game against seventh- ranked Texas or No. 22 TCU.

The Jayhawks were once again without Hall of Fame coach Bill Self, who is recovering after a hospital trip Wednesday night for what doctors with the University of Kansas Health System would only call “a standard procedure.” Longtime assistant Norm Roberts, serving as the acting coach, said Self addressed the Jayhawks remotely during breakfast and was “doing a lot better.”

Jaren Holmes had 16 points to lead the No. 5 seed Cyclones (19-13). Robert Jones finished with 11.