Texas tops Indiana St., 77-61

Thursday, March 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALT LAKE CITY - Darren Kelly scored 17 points, and Gabe Muoneke, Chris Mihm and Chris Owens each had 16 as Texas beat Indiana State 77-61 on Thursday in the first round of the West Regional.

The Longhorns (24-8) outscored the Sycamores 21-10 over the final 8:33. Owens scored six straight during a surge that helped Texas seize control with eight minutes remaining.

The Sycamores (22-10), returning to Salt Lake City for their first NCAA tournament game since Larry Bird led them to the title game in 1979, charged in the second half but couldn't overtake the bigger Longhorns.

Point guard Michael Menser led a 14-2 run that cut Indiana State's 39-26 halftime deficit to 56-51 with 9:19 to play. Except for climbing within eight points two other times, the Sycamores would get no closer.

Menser led Indiana State with 22 points, and Matt Renn had 10. Nate Green, Indiana State's leading scorer at 14.1 points a game, was held to five and scored one point in the second half.