Miami overcomes slow start, defeats Texas Southern

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Reserve James Kelly scored 17 points to lead Miami to an 84-69 victory over Texas Southern Thursday night.

The Hurricanes recovered from a 12-0 deficit 5:17 into the game and shot 18-of-28 from the field the rest of the first half. Miami missed its first eight shots.

Davon Reed hit three 3-pointers to key the Miami comeback. Reed's third conversion from behind the arc gave the Hurricanes a 30-22 lead with 4:10 remaining. Reed had nine of his 11 points in the first half.

Donnavan Kirk scored 15 points and Rion Brown finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds and had nine assists for the Hurricanes (2-1).

The Hurricanes had their first double-digit lead, 41-29, on Garrius Adams' 3-pointer with 1:04 left.

Six Miami players finished in double figures as Manu Lecomte and Adams scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Aaric Murray scored 16 points and Ray Penn another 15 to lead Texas Southern (2-1).

Kelly's 3-pointer with 24 seconds remaining gave Miami a 44-32 lead at halftime. The Hurricanes finished the first half shooting 8-of-13 from behind the arc.

Miami had its first 20-point lead on Donnavan Kirk's tip-in with 12:06 left in the second half for a 63-43 advantage. Kirk's three-point play with 9:40 remaining gave the Hurricanes their largest lead at 73-49.

The Tigers took the early lead on four 3-pointers. Penn hit two 3-pointers in Texas Southern's initial surge.

Miami sophomore center Tonye Jekiri suffered an undisclosed injury to his right knee with 3:56 remaining in the first half. Jekiri, who needed assistance to leave the court, did not return to the game.