LAWRENCE, Kan., Dec. 5 -- The Kansas Jayhawks announced Friday the school has accepted an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl.

It will be the second consecutive bowl appearance for Kansas, which finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. The Jayhawks upset Missouri last Saturday 40-37.

The bowl game will be played New Year's Eve in Tempe, Ariz. The Jayhawks' opponent has yet to be named.

"Our players are really excited," Coach Mark Mangino said. "They deserve this opportunity for post-season play. They've earned it.

"We're going to have fun, but our players will be the first to tell you the most fun of going to a bowl game is winning it. That's what the trip is all about."

OXFORD, Miss., Dec. 5 -- Officials at the University of Mississippi announced Friday Coach Houston Nutt has agreed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.

Terms were not released.

"I'm very excited about the terms we discussed," Nutt said. "This helps our recruiting and shows the direction our program is headed. We are very excited about going to our bowl game."

Kolkata, Dec

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Kobe Bryant's 23 points Friday led the Los Angeles Lakers' 106-104 win over the Washington Wizards.

Bryant -- who was just 5-of-17 from the field -- secured the victory with a free throw with just under 15 seconds left to play. Washington's Caron Butler missed a potential game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

The Wizards came back from a 20-point deficit, putting together a spirited 22-4 run in the fourth period.

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 5 -- Dwight Howard's 21 points and 23 rebounds Friday keyed the Orlando Magic's 98-89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Orlando never trailed after Tony Battie's 15-foot jumper made it 34-32 with 5:26 left in the second period. The Magic then built a 45-39 halftime advantage.

Howard's slam made it 90-79 with 5:07 left in the contest.

Jameer Nelson scored 15 with seven assists and four steals. Hedo Turkoglu scored 13 with seven assists, while Rashard Lewis scored 11 with six rebounds for the Magic, winners in six of their last seven outings.

HEMPSTEAD, N. Y., Dec. 5 -- New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis faces drug and other charges after he was stopped last weekend in Hanover, N. J., en route to the Jets training facility.

Ellis, the Jets' defensive co-captain and their longest-tenured player, was charged with possession of marijuana, driving without insurance and speeding.

The Morristown, N. J., Daily Record said Ellis pulled even with a police car, briefly slowed down, and then passed it.

A police report said Ellis was "uncooperative" and refused to give his paperwork to the officer, but played in last Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, the newspaper said.