FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Jamal Shead had 16 points and nine assists as top-ranked Houston advanced to its fifth American Athletic Conference championship game in a row with a 69-48 win over fourth-seeded Cincinnati on Saturday, March 11, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
 
The Cougars (31-2) led throughout, getting two second-chance layups from J’Wan Roberts in the opening minute of a game between two teams that are moving to the Big 12 next season. Roberts finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
 
Houston, which led 38-23 by halftime, will face the winner of Tulane/Memphis in the final on Sunday, March 12 at 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Landers Nolley II had 14 points for Cincinnati (21-12), which shot 25.5% (13 of 51) from the field.
 
A 3-pointer by Nolley with just over 15 minutes left the game had the Bearcats within 44-35 — the only time after halftime they were within single digits, and the last time.
 
Shead then had a jumper to start a 17-3 run. The junior guard had had seven points overall in the spurt that was capped by a free throw from Terrance Arceneaux for a 61-38 lead.
 
The latest tournament information can be found online at The American's Championship Central by visiting www.TheAmerican.org/mbb. Tickets for the championship are on sale through Ticketmaster.
 
2023 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship Schedule
 
First Round | Thursday, March 9
Game 1: No. 9 East Carolina 73, No. 8 South Florida 58
Game 2: No. 7 UCF 76, No. 10 SMU 70
Game 3: No. 11 Tulsa vs. No. 6 Wichita State | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
 
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 10
Game 4: No. 1 Houston 60, No. 9 East Carolina 46
Game 5: No. 4 Cincinnati 84, No. 5 Temple 54
Game 6: No. 2 Memphis 81, No. 7 UCF 76
Game 7: No. 3 Tulane 82, No. 6 Wichita State 76
 
Semifinals | Saturday, March 11
Game 8: No. 1 Houston 69, No. 4 Cincinnati 48
Game 9: No. 3 Tulane vs. No. 2 Memphis | 5 p.m. | ESPN2
 
Final | Sunday, March 12
Game 10: Game 9 Winner vs. No. 1 Houston | 3:15 p.m. | ESPN