ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Marcus Foster admits that No. 12 Creighton really hasnt faced a tough test yet, even after beating No. 9 Wisconsin a week ago.But the Bluejays got such a test Monday night, getting pushed to the limit by Mississippi before coming away with a 86-77 victory in the championship game of the Paradise Jam tournament.Foster scored 25 points, and three other players finished in double figures for Creighton (5-0), which climbed 10 places in the AP Top 25 rankings released earlier Monday.This team is very tight, and were very close, said Foster, the tournaments MVP. Weve just got to stick together when we face adversity.Khyri Thomas added 16 points, Toby Hegner had 12 and Justin Patton 11 for the Bluejays (5-0), who trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half and were down 50-40 with 18:44 left in the second half.There was a lot of pointing fingers, a lot of arguing with the coaches, a lot of arguing with teammates, Foster said. At halftime, we talked and came closer as a family. We have to stick together when we face adversity. We havent faced adversity all season, but we did tonight.Creighton began its rally at that point, whittling down the Rebels lead until tying the score twice, the last at 74-74 with 5:45 left. Thomas then put the Bluejays ahead to stay with his three-point play with 3:40 remaining.That ignited a 12-3 Creighton run to close out the game, capped by a pair of free throws from Thomas with 40 seconds left.It was their offensive rebounding, Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. You cant run if you dont get a rebound. They were so physical on the glass . and we cant play with any pace if that happens. But we stuck with it, and the guys stuck together. Defensively and in rebounding, we stepped up when we had to.Deandre Burnett and Rasheed Brooks scored 22 points each, and Cullen Neal added 10 for Mississippi (4-1).Changing our defenses slowed them down a little bit, Rebels coach Andy Kennedy said. But in the second half, it came down to them making plays. Our kids really battled, but when a Top 20 team shoots 16 of 26 from 3, its hard.BIG PICTUREMississippi: Dominated the boards in the first half, with a 26-11 advantage. That included a 12-4 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to 19 second-chance points for the Rebels. They finished with a 37-27 advantage, 17-7 in offensive rebounds and 20-4 edge in second-chance points.Creighton: The Bluejays, fresh off a 10-spot jump in the Top 25 rankings, shot 52.5 percent from the field (31 of 59), and made 16 of 26 3-pointers. That offset Mississippis advantage in second-chance points.TURNING POINTAfter tying the score for the final time, Thomas scored eight of Creightons final 12 points. After his three-point play, he connected on a 3-pointer, then capped things off with a pair of free throws with 45 seconds remaining.STAT LINECreighton reserve center Zach Hanson had missed just two field goals in the Bluejays first four games (16 of 18). But against Mississippi, he was held to 1 of 7 shooting before coming out of the game with an ankle injury in the second half.POLL IMPLICATIONSCreightons big move up the Top 25 rankings may have been a little premature. At the very least, Mississippi may get some consideration from the Top 25 voters when the next rankings come out.UP NEXTMississippi: Hosts fellow Paradise Jam participant Montana on Thursday.Creighton: Hosts Loyola (Md.) on Saturday. Aaron Donald Rams Jersey . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Orlando Pace Youth Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. http://www.laramsfootballshops.com/robert-woods-jersey/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Torry Holt Rams Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Nolan Cromwell Womens Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- LONDON -- Russia loses its appeal of the Olympic ban on its track and field athletes, a decision that could intensify pressure on the IOC to bar the country entirely from next months Rio de Janeiro Games.- LONDON -- Usain Bolt says the ban on Russias track and field team sends a powerful message that should scare drug cheats.- Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte will not be as busy as they would have liked at the Olympics. The two U.S. swimmers have just three individual events between them in Rio.- WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg (13-0) is on the mound for the first-place Nationals, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers and 19-year-old pitcher Julio Urias. Game starts 12:05 p.m.- NEW YORK -- CC Sabathia and the Yankees go for a four-game sweep of Baltimore. Chris Tillman (13-2) starts for the Orioles, who have lost four in a row and their AL East lead. Game starts 1:05 p.m.- Separate training camp previews and capsules on all NFL teams.- OAKVILLE, Ontario -- Top-ranked Jason Day opens his Canadian Open title defense in a field featuring U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson. Also playing are Jim Furyk, Ernie Els and Matt Kuchar.- GURNEE, IIll.dddddddddddd -- The UL International Crown begins outside Chicago with eight four-ball matches. Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Cristie Kerr play for the U.S. South Korea is favored in the eight-country event.- NEW YORK -- Social activism is coming at a cost for WNBA players. The league fines the Liberty, Mercury and Fever and their players for wearing black warmup shirts in response to recent shootings.- MEGEVE, France -- Chris Froome extends his overall lead by winning the 18th stage of the Tour de France. The 10.5-mile mountain time trial features majestic views of Mont Blanc.- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The ACC and ESPN appear set to introduce the conferences long-awaited television network. Commissioner John Swofford is to give his state of the league speech.- CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Prosecutors intend to appeal a shockingly lenient six-year jail sentence for Oscar Pistorius. They say such a decision could bring the countrys justice system into disrepute.- SEOUL, South Korea -- Two baseball players in South Korea are indicted, accused of manipulating games in a gambling case that deals another blow to pro sports in the country. ' ' '