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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
AUSTIN (AP) -- Darren Kelly is showing Texas' opponents the
domination only his teammates had seen until recently this season.
Kelly, in his second game back from academic suspension, scored
21 points and provided some critical late-game free throws Saturday
as the Longhorns (8-2) knocked off No. 5 Illinois 72-64.
|  | | Texas center James Thomas grabs a rebound against Illinois Saturday. |
In two games since his return, both wins, Kelly has averaged 22
points for Texas.
"He is a difference maker," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "I
said earlier in the year we were a different team in practice than
we played. He's not doing anything I don't expect him to."
Maurice Evans had 14 points and Brian Boddicker added 12 as
Texas (8-2) won its 18th straight home game. It was the Longhorns
first home win over a Top Five team since 1991.
Already blessed with a front line of big bodies with Evans,
Boddicker and Chris Owens, Kelly brings scoring punch from the
perimeter and slashing speed to the basket the Longhorns haven't
had this season.
"I think I have a few more games to go," Kelly said. "I'm not
in the shape I need for the minutes I play."
Conditioning wasn't a problem early on as Kelly had 10 points in
the first half. His consecutive baskets with a spinning jumper
around Cory Bradford and a floater in the lane put Texas ahead
32-18.
Illinois cut the lead to 34-25 by halftime and continued to chip
away in the second half. Brian Cook, who led Illinois with 18
points, dropped in a putback layup to tie it at 50 with 9:16 to
play. Boddicker then nailed his third 3-pointer to put Texas ahead
again.
Texas led 59-52 before Maurice Griffin made a layup and Cook
converted a 3-point play to pull the Illini within two.
The Illini appeared to have stopped the Longhorns on the other
end when Frank Williams forced Kelly into a wild 3-pointer with
just five seconds left on the shot clock.
But Kelly drew the foul and swished three consecutive free
throws to push the Texas lead back up 62-57. After Williams and
Bradford threw up a pair of wild 3-pointers on Illinois' next two
possessions, Texas freshman James Thomas put back his own missed
layup and hit one of two free throws to make it 65-57 with 2:40
left.
Bradford extended to 76 his NCAA record of consecutive games
with at least one 3-pointer but the Illini went just 4-of-25 from
long range as a team.
"Our game plan wasn't to shoot 3s" Illinois coach Bill Self
said. "Our game plan was to attack them inside. It was
frustrating."
Texas gave Illinois a chance to close the gap in the final
minute.
After Sean Harrington hit three foul shots to pull the Illini
within five, Texas turned it over with 22 seconds left when Royal
Ivey's errant inbounds pass sailed across the court and out of
bounds.
But Marcus Griffin missed two layups in traffic and Bradford's
3-pointer bounced off the rim and over the backboard. The Longhorns
made 11 of 15 free throws over the final three minutes.
The last time Texas played a top five team, the Longhorns, minus
Kelly, were beaten by then-No. 2 Duke 95-69 on Nov. 22 in the
Preseason NIT.
"Three weeks ago we played Duke and I said tonight we're going
to find out just how far we've come in three weeks time," Barnes
said.
"We did play hard for the longest period of time that we've
played all year."
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Illinois Clubhouse
Texas Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Sergio McClain finds Brian Cook in the lane for the easy score and a foul.
avi: 868 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
The Illini's Frank Williams dishes to Marcus Griffin for the easy layup.
avi: 513 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Texas' Darren Kelly takes it to the Illini defense for the hoop and the foul.
avi: 899 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Maurice Evans makes the pull-up jumper, and goes to the free throw line.
avi: 755 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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