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Texas faces first test against Notre Dame

Nov 25, 2008 - 2:29 PM No. 8 Notre Dame (3-0) vs. No. 7 Texas (3-0) 7:00 p.m. EST

LAHAINA, Hawaii (Ticker) -- Seventh-ranked Texas faces its biggest test of the new season when it meets ninth-ranked Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday.

Texas has yet to be challenged, easily cruising to victories in each of its first three games. After opening the season with a 30-point triumph over Stetson, the Longhorns steamrolled Tulane, 76-51, four days later.

Texas continued its domination on Monday, claiming a 68-50 victory against St. Joseph's in the first round of the tournament. A.J. Abrams scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half, Damione James added 16 points and Gary Johnson had 12 for the Longhorns, who never trailed during the contest and overwhelmed the Hawks with their quickness and overall athleticism.

The Longhorns may have a difficult time continuing their surge against Notre Dame, which has also had it easy in the early going.

Following consecutive double-digit victories to start the season, the Fighting Irish put together their best game yet during the opening round here on Monday, posting an 88-50 drubbing against Indiana.

Tory Jackson tied a career high with 21 points and dished out eight assists while Kyle McAlarney buried six 3-pointers en route to 18 points.

Luke Harangody, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, scored Notre Dame's first bucket - 2 1/2 minutes into the contest - but was able to relax for most of the afternoon. Harangody averaged 28.5 points over the first two games of the season but needed just a modest 14-point effort to get the job done Monday.