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No. 8 Houston beats East Carolina to reach 27-1

Cinncinnati Houston Basketball

Houston guard Corey Davis Jr. (5) reacts after sinking a three-point basket against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

AP

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Corey Davis Jr. matched his career high with 26 points to help eighth-ranked Houston beat East Carolina 99-65 on Wednesday night in a game that included multiple technical fouls against the Pirates and three ejections after halftime.

Fabian White Jr. added 16 points for the Cougars (27-1, 14-1 American Athletic Conference), who shot 60 percent. They made 13 of 28 3-pointers, which followed a 16-for-24 effort during last month’s 44-point rout in the first meeting.

Seth LeDay had 17 points for the Pirates (10-17, 3-12), who trailed 45-31 by the break and never recovered.

Things got away from them during an ugly sequence early in the second half filled with technical fouls, all involving ECU. Coach Joe Dooley and sophomore guard Shawn Williams were ejected along with a fan during a stretch that had the home crowd irate with officials — and some throwing trash toward the court.

BIG PICTURE

Houston: The Cougars are rolling through the AAC with 12 straight wins and the program’s highest ranking since Hakeem Olajuwon was starring for Houston in 1984. They have matched last year’s win total with three games left in the regular season.

ECU: The Pirates had trouble slowing down the Cougars in the first half, then saw a double-digit deficit balloon amid all the free throws during the technical-heavy stretch that basically stalled the game around the 17-minute mark. ECU has lost eight straight against top-10 opponents as well as in the series against Houston.

UP NEXT

Houston: Returns home to face UCF on Saturday.

ECU: Plays at Tulsa on Sunday.