TOP LEVEL: Miles Kelly made seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points, All-American Johni Broome added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and No. 1 overall seed Auburn beat 16th-seeded Alabama State 83-63 on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers only led by one late in the first half but then used a 9-0 run to enter halftime up 41-31 and never looked back in the South Region game. Another No. 1 seed, Houston, was even more impressive. Milos Uzan scored 16 points, LJ Cryer, right, added 15 and the Cougars routed 16th-seeded SIU Edwardsville 78-40 in the Midwest Region.Big 12 champion Houston has won 14 straight games and 26 of its last 27 overall.

MCNEESE GETS 1ST WIN: No. 12 seed McNeese held off late-charging No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67 in the Midwest Region. Brandon Murray scored 14 of his 21 points in a stifling first half when the Southland Conference school from Lake Charles, La., held Clemson to 13 points. It was McNeese’s first tournament win.

FLAGG READY TO GO: Freshman Cooper Flagg said that he’s feeling “good” and will be ready to play fully in No. 1 seed Duke’s NCAA Tournament opener against No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s on Friday as he returns from a sprained ankle. Flagg rolled his left ankle during the ACC Tournament quarterfinals and missed the Blue Devils’ wins in the semifinals and title game.

— Associated Press