philosophy and the way they play, they have strong beliefs and win, lose or draw, theyll continue to do the same things.Naturally as a player I would watch the top teams and aspire to be those top pla

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois needed a career-high performance from Malcolm Hill to outlast Northern Kentucky 79-64 on Sunday night.The senior scored a career-high 40 points and brought down 12 rebounds to help Illinois (2-0) fight through a first half where the Illini trailed 33-31 at halftime and struggled to hold off the Norse off until the end.It was something I was working on over the summer, Hill said. This is just one of the games that showed a lot of the hard work and dedication that Ive put into my 3-point shot.The Illini shot 44 percent from the field but were 20-30 from the free-throw line.Michael Finke also scored in double figures, adding 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini.Illinois coach John Groce credited his veteran team for the polite conversation at halftime to change the teams energy and focus.Our seniors responded big time in the second half, he said. I thought we came out with a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more attacking mentality.Lavone Holland II led Northern Kentucky (1-1) with 13 points, which kept the Norse in the game until the final eight minutes.The Norse held a 43-32 rebound advantage despite Northern Kentuckys tallest players being 6-foot-7.Northern Kentucky was sloppy with the ball for most of the game, committing 18 turnovers that led to 21 Illinois points.Our youth showed when things went bad and I thought their veteran leadership showed with their run, Northern Kentucky coach John Brannen said.BIG PICTUREIllinois: The Illini will have a lot to work on despite the win. They will have a few games to work out the kinks before tougher opponents appear on the schedule.Northern Kentucky: The Norse can hold their heads up despite the loss. Northern Kentucky competed well throughout the game against a Big Ten opponent.TURNING POINTIllinois and Northern Kentucky exchanged baskets and the lead for much of the start of the second half until Hill took over. He scored 29 points in the half and helped put the game away.HIGHLIGHT REELTracy Abrams got the State Farm Center crowd excited when he came from behind to block a Drew McDonald fast break layup.UP NEXTIllinois will play its third game in five nights when the Illini host McKendree on Tuesday night.Northern Kentucky will try to rebound after its first loss of the season on Friday when the Norse play Austin Peay in the Tarkett Sports Classic in Oxford, Ohio.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.orgJulian Edelman Womens Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. 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This was no night to go to sleep.As the Premier League season heads toward the busy festive period, Arsenal find themselves in familiar territory in fourth place and in prime position to challenge for the Premier League title.Arsene Wengers charges have tasted defeat only one this season -- an opening weekend 4-3 loss to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Since then, the club has embarked on an 11-match unbeaten run. But they also find themselves winless in their last two, having drawn Manchester United and Tottemham.The Gunners (7-4-1) will try to return to winning ways when they welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates on Sunday.Theyll need to find a way to regain some form against a plucky Bournemouth side following a midweek 2-2 draw Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League which leaves the Gunners winless in three straight over all competitions.Things started poorly for Arsenal as Edinson Cavani gave the Parisians the lead in the 18th minute, but Arsenal answered with a goal from Olivier Giroud before a Marco Verratti own goal made it 2-1, but the lead would not last as an own goal from Alex Iwobi saved a point for PSG.I believe we have to find our game back, Wenger said. We didnt lose but if you do not create, that will not last. Its important that we find our simplicity, speed and pacy combinations back. We missed that fluency, and that security in our decision-making that made us dangerous in the final third a little bit. That is what is at stake for us.The positive side is that we dont lose, but that is not positive enough for us. We want to win our games and build momentum.dddddddddddd Sometimes you go a little bit through spells where its less easy and we want to come back to the three pointers.Bournemouth (4-3-5) have given a decent account of themselves so far as Eddie Howes Cherries sit in 10th place heading into this weekends action. Three of the clubs four wins, however, have come at home.The Cherries are heading to the Emirates with a decent level of confidence following last weeks 1-0 win over Stoke City away from home as Nathan Ake scored the winner after just 26 minutes.Howe sees some similarities between the two sides.From a football perspective, Ive been a big fan for a number of years of how (Arsenal) play, he explained. They are loyal to their philosophy and the way they play, they have strong beliefs and win, lose or draw, theyll continue to do the same things.Naturally as a player I would watch the top teams and aspire to be those top players. Arsenal were a side I watched a lot to find ways to improve my own game. Since becoming a manager I do the same thing, watch the top teams thinking how I can get my team closer to that. Arsenal have had a big influence in my football ideas.On the injury front for Bournemouth, goalkeeper Artur Boruc and Andrew Surman are a doubt, while Jordon Ibe will be available for selection after recovering from an illness.Arsenal did the double over Bournemouth last season, winning both matches by 2-0 scores. ' ' '