SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Georges Niang scored 24 points to lead third-seeded Iowa State as the Cyclones pulled away from No. 14 North Carolina Central in the second half for a 93-75 win Friday night in the East Region.

The Big 12 tournament champions found themselves in an early struggle with a program making its first NCAA tournament appearance in just its third year as a full-time Division I program. But the Cyclones’ quickness and balance eventually took over.

Iowa State (27-7) had five players score in double figures. Niang’s two 3-pointers early in the second half keyed Iowa State’s run that put the game away.

Jeremy Ingram scored 28 for North Carolina Central (28-6), which came in on a 20-game win streak and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs have signed cornerback Chris Owens, who will likely take over the nickel position and provide depth behind starters Sean Smith and Brandon Flowers.

Kansas City waived defensive lineman Brandon Moore on Friday to make room for Owens, who spent last season with Miami and Cleveland after four seasons with the Falcons.

The 5-foot-9 Owens doesn’t fit the mold of big, physical cornerbacks preferred by Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid, but he does have the kind of speed and toughness that helps him make up for his size.

The Chiefs were desperate for depth in the defensive backfield after they let free safety Kendrick Lewis go in free agency and parted ways with veteran Dunta Robinson.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) – The head girls basketball coach at the high school in Independence has carried through with his intention to quit. Rod Conrad and assistant coach Rob Ratchford had complained of threats and criticism from parents and others. The school board accepted Ratchford’s resignation on Monday.

Conrad had said in a statement released March 12 that he’d had second thoughts, citing community support that had surfaced.  Athletics director Rob Arnold said Thursday that Conrad finally concluded that after everything that had happened, Conrad didn’t think he could be as effective in the post.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz was set to make his exhibition debut for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Washington Nationals. Diaz was in the starting lineup to hit eighth. Washington started Gio Gonzalez.  Diaz last played in Cuba in 2012, then defected. His probably will start the season at Double-A Springfield.

He worked out with the Cardinals last week and played in minor league exhibition games before going to Mexico for his U.S. work visa, which is needed before he can play in big league spring training games.