HOUSTON (AP) — J’Wan Roberts had a career-high 26 points and seven rebounds, Marcus Sasser scored 22 points and No. 1 Houston clinched at least a share of the American Athletic Conference regular season championship with an 89-59 win over Tulane on Wednesday night.
Houston (26-2, 14-1) has won eight straight games and the regular season title is the fourth in the past five seasons.
Roberts has scored at least 20 points in consecutive games, and Sasser, who also had five rebounds and six assists, has scored at least 20 points in four straight and nine overall this season.
Tramon Mark added 13 points, and Jamal Shead had 10 points and six assists. Houston outrebounded Tulane 46-27, with Jarace Walker leading the way with a career-high 13 rebounds. The Cougars shot 47%, including 10 of 32 on 3-pointers.
Jalen Cook scored 23 points for his seventh straight game with at least 20 points for Tulane (17-8, 10-4), which saw its five-game winning streak snapped. Jaylen Forbes added 14 points.
The Green Wave shot 38%, including 7 of 22 on 3-pointers.
Houston used a 22-5 run over an eight-minute stretch of the first half to open up a 35-17 lead ending with a 3-pointer by Sasser with five minutes remaining in the half.
BIG PICTURE
Tulane: The Green Wave's last win over a ranked opponent came on Dec. 22, 1999, when Tulane defeated No. 25 North Carolina State 73-62. … Tulane dropped to 1-3 in Quad 1 games. … The Green Wave started 3 for 3 from the field then finished the first half 5 of 25.
Houston: The Cougars have won 11 straight over Tulane. ... The Cougars had a season-high 16 steals. … Houston forced 19 turnovers, which they converted into 22 points. … The Cougars held a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint and dished out 22 assists on 31 field goals.
UP NEXT
Tulane: Hosts Wichita State on Sunday.
Houston: Travels to East Carolina on Saturday night.
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