Houston's Bernard Smith drives to the basket. (Photo by Jeff Shaw)

HOUSTON (AP)(Dec. 20) - Playing in his first game of the season, Darren Kelly scored 23 points to lead the Texas Longhorns to a 71-60 victory over the Houston Cougars on Dec. 20.

Kelly, who was ineligible during the fall semester because of poor grades, led all scorers. He hit 8-of-20 from the field and 4-of-4 free throws.

Maurice Evans and Chris Owens added 14 each for Texas (7-2).

Houston (2-6) was led by Dominic Smith with 14 points, Chad Hendrick with 13 and Marcus Oliver with 10.

Houston suffered from poor free throw shooting, hitting only 9-of-22.

Leading 43-41 with 14:21 left, Texas scored 10 straight to extend its lead to 53-41 with 11:34 remaining. But Houston then outscored Texas 9-2, including five by Hendrick, to cut the deficit to 58-54 with 6:02 left.

The Cougars were never that close again, as Kelly added six points in the final 2:54 to secure the victory.

A basket by Bernard Smith gave Houston a 9-7 lead with 14:11 left in the first half. Texas then scored seven straight, to move ahead 14-9 with 11:04 remaining in the half.

The Cougars cut their deficit to three, 26-23, after a driving layup by Dominic Smith with 3:02 left in the half.

Kelly then scored five straight to give the Longhorns a 31-23 advantage.

A pair of baskets by Houston's Marcus Oliver in the final minute of the half cut the Texas lead to 33-30.