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DURHAM, N.C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. And sixth-ranked Duke needed every bit of that production to hold off East Carolina. Hood scored a career-high 30 points Tuesday night to help the Blue Devils beat the Pirates 83-74 in the NIT Season Tipoff. Parker had 21 points, nine rebounds and six blocks for the Blue Devils (4-1), who survived a tougher-than-expected fight from the underdog Pirates to improve to 24-2 all-time in the early season tournament. It was also the second game in as many nights for both teams, who were playing in a four-team pod at Dukes Cameron Indoor Stadium. "The last two nights, weve played our butts off," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "This is not about Duke not playing (well). ... Dont undersell what they did. We were ready and we played hard. I thought we brought great energy but so did they. This was a really good basketball game." Duke led by a point with about 7 minutes left but stayed in front and did enough in the final 2 1/2 minutes to turn away East Carolina (4-1), earning a trip to next weeks NIT semifinals for a matchup with Alabama in New Yorks Madison Square Garden. Hood, a 6-foot-8 sophomore transfer from Mississippi State, finished 8 for 10 from the field and hit all 12 of his free throws while playing nearly the entire 40 minutes. Parker made his biggest impact with a couple of key second-half plays, from taking a rebound all the way for a team-rousing dunk to blocking consecutive shots with his team protecting a 75-70 lead. "We couldnt scout them like we normally do and we tried not to stay in the gym last night and watch them play because we had a quick turnaround," Hood said. "But theyre a great team. Theyve got a lot of talent, especially for a mid-major. They played hard. They wasnt scared of us." The Blue Devils, who beat UNC Asheville 91-55 on Monday night, cooled off significantly after a hot start and shot 47 per cent, failing to reach at least 50 per cent for the first time this year. The Pirates had a much tougher time in their Tipoff opener, needing to rally from 17 down after halftime to beat Norfolk State 76-74. That game at Cameron marked a return to unfriendly surroundings for Pirates coach Jeff Lebo, who played for Dean Smith at hated rival North Carolina in the 1980s. Lebos team turned in a strong fight less than 24 hours later, but couldnt pull off a huge upset. "We can draw a lot from this -- our kids playing in this stage, this environment," Lebo said. "We dont get a chance to do that too often. We draw a lot of positives, and when we watch the tape, I think well get some confidence from that. "And then weve got to be able to build up on it. We cant say, Hey, we played well and were done for the year." Prince Williams scored 15 for the Pirates, who shot 40 per cent and helped themselves by hitting the offensive glass for a 16-3 edge in second-chance points. East Carolina fell to 0-21 all-time against Duke, though the Pirates flirted with earning their first win against a ranked opponent in nearly 11 years. Duke led by 18 points late in the first half after an 11-for-11 shooting start, but the Pirates didnt let the Blue Devils put together a knockout run. Instead, the Pirates closed the gap to 11 by halftime, and then kept inching closer and closer from there. East Carolina twice got within a point, the last coming on Williams free throws with 6:58 left, but never could push in front. Duke helped itself by playing with composure down the stretch, hitting all eight of its free throws in the final 2:34 to stay in control. Parker also came through with a big defensive sequence after his coast-to-coast dunk, swatting a leaner from Williams out of bounds and then stuffing a driving shot from Antonio Robinson with about 2 minutes left. Hood hit two free throws to make it 77-70, and East Carolina didnt get closer than five again. Duke finished 24 for 31 from the foul line, including 19 for 24 after halftime. The Blue Devils, who beat Florida Atlantic on Friday night, are off until Sunday, when they host Vermont. "Now weve got to rest," Krzyzewski said. "I mean, our guys are dead." .com) - Brad Stuart has yet to play a regular-season game for the Colorado Avalanche, but that didnt deter the club from signing the veteran defenseman to a two-year contract extension on Monday. . - Dominika Cibulkova erased three match points in the second set Wednesday and beat Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Sony Open. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authenti ... -Jersey/.J. -- The NHL reduced its penalty against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday for signing Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010. . -- Kole Calhoun homered and drove in three runs, Albert Pujols also went deep and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 8-4 Friday night. . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell.Hector Bellerin has signed a new contract at Arsenal. His growing importance to the side makes it a huge boost, writes Nick Wright... If there was ever a game to epitomise the rise of Hector Bellerin, it was Arsenals clash with Pep Guardiolas Bayern Munich in October last year. The Spaniard was twisted inside-out by Douglas Costa in a punishing first half at the Emirates Stadium, but rather than crumbling in the face of relentless pressure, he held his nerve.Bellerin gradually got on top of Costa, and Arsenal began to turn the tide. Olivier Giroud bundled home the opening goal from a free kick, and then there was Bellerin, the youngest player on the pitch, pouncing on a loose pass from David Alaba and racing into Bayerns box to cross for Mesut Ozil to seal the win. The Emirates erupted. Bellerins redemption was complete. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! The young right-back has made a habit of coming through tough moments. He was dropped during a loan spell at Watford in 2014 and struggled badly on his Arsenal debut against Borussia Dortmund a few months later, but every setback has only added to his determination. Every challenge has become another leap forward. Bellerin played every minute of Arsenals first 11 Premier League matches A year on from that night against Costa, Bellerin has commited his future to Arsenal with a new long-term contract expected to place him among their highest earners. The 21-year-old was the only outfield player to play every minute of their first 11 Premier League games of the season, and it is testament to his importance that the news of his recent ankle injury prompted such anxiety among supporters.It is rare for a young player to reach such lofty heights in such a short space of time, but Bellerin has always been different. In fact, to Andres Carrasco, the man who signed him for Barcelona when he eight years old and coached him right up until he was 15, it is no surprise at all.Its always difficult to know which players will make it, but if Id had to bet on one, it would have been him, Carrasco told Sky Sports. Mentally, he was very strong. That is a very important aspect for a young player. The psychological aspect is crucial. Hector was a boy who seemed 20 when he was 15. Bellerin has formed an effective partnership with Theo Walcott on Arsenals right Carrasco is not the only coach to have been struck by Bellerins maturity. He has been absolutely fantastic, said Arsene Wenger last month. His first game was a nightmare. The season before he was at Watford where he didnt play. His progress has been brilliant because he has absolutely top mental strength.Bellerin can often be seen geeing up team-mates and offering instructions on the pitch. He is an old head on young shoulders and Wenger trusts him implicitly. I think he loves being here and he has responsibilities already in the dressing room for such a young age, added the Frenchman. Its something remarkable. I think he is a real Arsenal player.His emergence has already seen the £16m Calum Chambers sent away on loan and France international Mathieu Debuchy frozen out altogether, and his status as the Premier Leagues outstanding right-back was confirmed when he was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season. Arsenals average positions in their 4-1 win over Hull City in September Its little wonder supporters were so nervous about facing Manchester United without him last weekend. Bellerin keeps getting better, and this season he has become increasingly important to how Arsenal play. With left-back Nacho Monreal providing defensive balance on one side, Bellerin essentially operates as an auxiliary winger on the other.Bellerins average position has been in the opposition half in 10 of his 11 appearances, according to Opta. His overlapping runs on the right flank have allowed Theo Walcott to rediscover his scoring touch in central areas, and it is also revealing that Bellerin has had 32 touches in the opposition box himself. Its more than any other Premier League defender. Touches by defenders in opposition box - Premier League 2016/17 Player Team Touches Hector Bellerin Arsenal 32 Marcos Alonso Chelsea 25 Ryan Shawcross Stoke City 23 Scott Dann Crystal Palace 21 Antonio Valencia Man Utd 20 It highlights the unique nature of his role.dddddddddddd. No other full-back plays with such attacking adventure because they cant match his electrifying pace. He showed his extraordinary recovery speed with his last-ditch tackle on Pedro in Arsenals win over Chelsea, and there was a similar intervention to deny Tottenhams Heung-Min Son. Bellerin can venture high up the pitch without exposing vulnerability at the other end. Bellerin tackles Chelseas Pedro during Arsenals 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium He is also accomplished when defending with his back to goal. The statistics show a pattern of constant improvement in one-on-one situations over the last four seasons, and this year he looks more assured than ever having struck up a strong understanding with Shkodran Mustafi on the right-hand side of Arsenals defence. Hector Bellerins one-on-ones (league games only) Season Team Dribbled past per game 2013/14 Watford 1.3 2014/15 Arsenal 0.8 2015/16 Arsenal 0.6 2016/17 Arsenal 0.5 Bellerin is expected to be sidelined for four weeks, and his absence is sure to have a big impact on how Arsenal play. Carl Jenkinson is expected to continue deputising having come into the side against United, but he has only recently returned from a long-term injury, and he cant match his team-mates rare combination of speed, attacking threat and defensive awareness.Few players can. Bellerin has always been different. He showed it with Carrasco in Barcelonas academy and he showed it that night at the Emirates Stadium against Douglas Costa. Wenger deserves credit for fast-tracking his career and the contract is a welcome boost. Bellerins importance to the side could become even clearer during his time on the sidelines.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Bellerin signs new Arsenal deal Wenger: Sanchez is remarkable ' ' '