HOUSTON (AP) Marcus Sasser scored 19 points, J'Wan Roberts added 11 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 2 Houston held on to beat Kent State 49-44 on Saturday and give itself an opportunity to take over the No. 1 ranking.

Sasser was 8 of 8 from the free-throw line to overcome a 5-of-16 shooting performance, including 1 of 10 on 3-pointers. Houston (6-0) shot 32% from the floor and was 2 of 17 on 3s.

"That's the first time all year someone has punched us in the mouth," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. "We're used to punching other people in the mouth around here."