Kyler Edwards scored 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds and totaled seven assists to lead host Houston, which was never threatened during a 79-36 victory over visiting East Carolina on Saturday night.

The 10th-ranked Cougars (17-2, 6-0 American Athletic Conference) won their ninth consecutive game since a one-point loss to Alabama on Dec. 11 and have won 13 of their past 14 games.

Houston remains the lone unbeaten team in the AAC and dealt the Pirates (11-7, 2-4) their second consecutive loss and fourth in their past five games.

The Cougars won their 36th consecutive game at the Fertitta Center and established dominance quickly by outscoring East Carolina 30-4 over the first 12 minutes and 25 seconds of the game. It was the Cougars' most lopsided conference win since Feb. 28 of last season when they beat South Florida by 46 points.

Houston avenged a loss to the Pirates in their previous meeting on Feb. 3, 2021 at East Carolina.

Despite missing Marcus Sasser (toe) and Tramon Mark (shoulder), the Cougars continued their winning streak largely thanks to Edwards, who continued to roll on the offensive end. Edwards shot 7-of-13 from the field and 6-of-11 from 3-point range while going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

East Carolina, which played without key contributor Brandon Suggs (10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds per game), who was out with an ankle injury, was held to only 14 points in the first half on 3-for-26 shooting from the field. The Pirates missed all 10 of their three-point shots in the first half and went 1-for-19 from beyond the arc for the game, shooting 16 percent overall (8-for-50).

Tristen Newton led East Carolina with 14 points, thanks largely to his going 10-for-12 from the free throw line.

Joshua Carlton complemented Houston's efforts with a near double-double as he totaled 14 points and nine rebounds.

Taze Moore also had nine points and eight rebounds.

--Field Level Media