.USC: After a strong showing in nonconference play, with

After mostly cruising through four games, fifth-ranked North Carolina takes a different kind of challenge this week.The Maui Invitational should test the Tar Heels endurance.North Carolina has won each game by double-digit margins, so the likelihood for heightened competition is appealing at this stage of the season.I think that is what the whole team wants, Tar Heels guard Joel Berry said. We want a good challenge. We still have to go out there and play our hardest, so we can try and get better. I think going out to Maui and playing against some better competition will help us.The tournament schedule calls for three games in three days at Lahaina Civic Center, with the Tar Heels beginning Monday night against tournament host Chaminade (2-0), a Division II program.This is North Carolinas seventh appearance in the Maui Invitational, with the Tar Heels reaching the finals five times and winning the 1999, 2004 and 2008 events. The Tar Heels have a 15-3 record in the tournament.Coach Roy Williams said the competition is important. Hes also prone to point out the fringe benefits of the trip because he enjoys tropical weather.We go to Maui every four years for a reason -- the head coach likes it, Williams said.Yet the Tar Heels are aware that the basketball value is of utmost importance.We have to go with the right mindset, senior forward Kennedy Meeks said. I know its a nice place to go.North Carolina holds a 4-0 record for the first time since November 2012.Freshman post player Tony Bradley has scored in double figures in all four North Carolina games. Thats the most consecutive games in double figures at the beginning of a college career for a Tar Heel since Brandan Wrights 18-game stretch in 2006-07.Williams, with a 787-209 coaching record, moved into ninth place in Division I mens coaching victories with Friday nights 83-68 win at Hawaii. He passed Lefty Driesell.That game also resulted in the lowest point total of the season for the Tar Heels, who rang up more than 90 points in the first three games of the season -- something they hadnt done in 22 years.This marks the third Maui Invitational appearance in a row in which the Tar Heels will match up with Chaminade, though the last time it came in a consolation round.Chaminade, which was coming off a 12-15 record in 2015-16, hasnt played since winning Nov. 11 and 12 against Alaska Anchorage and Alaska, respectively, to open the new season.Our defense has been really, really good, sixth-year coach Eric Bovaird said on the schools web site. Its something weve focused on. Were getting better. Its something were going to focus on.Guards Rohndell Goodwin and Kiran Shastri averaged 24 and 20.5 points in the opening two games for Chaminade. Sam Daly, who was among the best in the Pacific West Conference last season in assists and steals, is a senior guard in his second year with the Silverswords after transferring from Grand Canyon.Starting out 2-0 going into Maui feels really good, Bovaird said.The North Carolina-Chaminade winner takes on the Connecticut-Oklahoma State winner in Tuesday nights semifinals, while the losers meet in the consolation bracket. Cheap Air Max 90 Ultra . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Air Max 90 Black Royal Blue . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-leather-white-cheap.html . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Cheap Air Max 90 White China . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Air Max 90 Ultra Outlet . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. LOS ANGELES -- Mississippi State remained undefeated with its 12th straight win, but it wasnt easy.Victoria Vivians scored 19 points and Morgan William had 18 to lead the fifth-ranked Bulldogs to a 76-72 victory over Southern California in the championship game of the Women of Troy Classic on Sunday.William shot 5 for 10 from the field and 8 for 9 on free throws, had three steals and was named the MVP of the tournament.They gave us a run for our money, said William, who helped MSU win its third tournament of the season. After a poor first half, we came out more focused, aggressive and took care of the ball in the second half.Breanna Richardson added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs, who are 12-0 for the third time in school history. Vivians, William and Richardson combined to shoot 17 for 38 and MSU outrebounded the Trojans 40-24.Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer said his team did not have its best game but was grateful to come away with the victory.I dont know how we won this game today, it was clearly not one of our best and we feel fortunate, Schaefer said. USC has us on our heels the whole first half. We had 13 turnovers in the first half and only two in the second. But when there is 5 minutes to play, I like our competitiveness and that speaks volumes of our team.Sadie Edwards scored 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Kristen Simon had 15 points and Minyon Moore added 14 points, six assists and four steals for the Trojans (8-2), who snapped a six-game winning streak and lost for the first time at home this season. Asiah Jones also had eight blocked shots.Im disappointed, USC coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke said. I thought we played well enough to win this game. They made their run and we just didnt recover, but my hat is off to my team. They played 40 minutes of basketball tonight. I think our defense helped caused MSU not to play a great game tonight.After trailing most of the game, thee Bulldogs extended their lead to 75-70 on Williams three-point play with 1:26 to play.dddddddddddd Courtney Jacos 3-point attempt with 2 seconds remaining hit off the rim and Mississippi State grabbed the rebound and held on to win.Simon scored 11 points in the first half and USC shot 42.3 percent to take a 33-29 lead at the break.In the tournaments consolation game, SMU defeated Grambling State 56-36 behind Dai Thomas 17 points.BIG PICTUREMississippi State: The Bulldogs completed a nine-game road trip that covered six states and 17,190 miles in 24 days. MSU returns to Starkville and will play five of the next seven games at home.USC: After a strong showing in nonconference play, with one more game to go, USC will begin its Pac-12 schedule Dec. 30 with an improved offensive attack that is averaging 11.1 more points per game than last seasons squad that finished 6-12 in conference.TIP-INSMSU 5-8 guard Blair Schaefer has suffered a few bumps and bruises during Bulldogs 9 game road trip but it hasnt slowed her down. In a game against Hawaii, Schaefer suffered a broken nose and didnt miss the next game. On Friday against SMU Schaefer was elbowed above her left eye and received 4 stiches but still scored a career-high 18 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter.POLL IMPLICATIONSMSU remained No. 5 in the AP Poll for the second consecutive week, its highest ranking ever in schools history. USC, after pushing the Bulldogs to the limit, should get consideration for nearly knocking off its second Top 25 team this season.UP NEXTMississippi State: Host Alabama State on Tuesday and then complete its nonconference action against Northwestern State on Dec. 28 before opening its SEC schedule against LSU on New Years Day.USC: At Big West opponent UC Irvine on Wednesday. ' ' '