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NEW YORK -- Mike Williams was the only member of the Rutgers team to have played in Madison Square Garden.He made himself right at home, scoring 19 points to lead the Scarlet Knights to their fifth straight victory, 68-53 over Fordham in the Holiday Festival.This was a homecoming, the native of Brooklyn said. I had been here before so I had feel for the court and it was fun with family and friends in the crowd.Deshawn Freeman added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights (11-1), who continue their best start in 40 years under first-year coach Steve Pikiell.I dont think that much (about the start), said Pikiell, who came to Rutgers from Stony Brook. Im just proud of these guys. They have jumped on board. Were really locked in defensively and you could see that in the first half.Williams finished 7 for 12 from the field as Rutgers shot 49.1 percent overall (28 for 57), including 4 for 9 from 3-point range, well above the 29 percent it was shooting from there entering the game.Led by Freeman, the Scarlet Knights dominated the rebounding, 51-22.That is a huge emphasis of ours, just keep attacking on the glass, Pikiell said. We have a lot of guys who can rebound and we needed them today.Joseph Chartouny had 17 points for the Rams (5-7), who lost their sixth straight.Thats a really good defensive team, Fordham coach Jeff Neubauer said of Rutgers. We didnt get the looks we got in other games. We did get some good looks but they were well contested.Rutgers led 34-20 at halftime and the Rams were able to close within seven five times -- the last time at 47-40 -- but couldnt get any closer.Fordham finished 6 for 29 from 3-point range and that included missing their first nine attempts from beyond the arc. The 53 points matched a season low for the Rams, who came in averaging 68.1 points per game.Their defensive mentality makes them a huge problem for us, Neubauer said. They deserved to win the way they play defense.BIG PICTUREFordham: The Rams came into the game first in Division I in steals per game at 12.4 and they were third in turnover margin at plus-8. They force an average of 20.7 turnovers. They had 10 steals Sunday and committed nine turnovers.Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since 1975-76 when they opened 31-0 before losing in the Final Four. ... Rutgers is 12-8 all-time in the Holiday Festival.SECOND CHANCESRutgers finished with a 16-7 advantage in offensive rebounds and that led to the Scarlet Knights finishing with 13 second-chance points to one for Fordham.UP NEXTFordham: The Rams host Central Connecticut State on Wednesday and then open Atlantic 10 play by hosting Duquesne on Dec. 30.Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are at Seton Hall on Friday in an in-state battle and then are at Wisconsin on Dec. 27 to begin Big Ten play. Anthony Rendon Jersey Large .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Custom Anthony Rendon Jersey . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. http://www.customnationalsjersey.com/ . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Authentic Custom Nationals Jersey . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Cheap Custom Nationals Jersey . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. The Chicago Cubs have traded outfielder Jorge Soler?to the?Kansas City Royals?in exchange for closer Wade Davis, the teams announced Wednesday.Davis, who has a 1.18 ERA over the past three seasons, with three homers allowed, had arm trouble that forced him to the disabled list, and he was limited to 43? innings in 2016. Davis, 31, made 10 appearances for the Royals after returning from the DL in September.According to ESPN Stats & Information, Davis ERA as a reliever (1.51) is the lowest ever among all pitchers with at least 250 career innings in relief.Davis is set to make $10 million in 2017, before becoming eligible for free agency. Since terms for the new collective bargaining agreement were negotiated last week, the Royals have evaluated the impact of the new rules and have decided to market some veterans. Besides Davis, first baseman Eric Hosmer, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and third baseman Mike Moustakas aree also eligible for free agency after the 2017 season.ddddddddddddHector Rondon served as the Cubs closer in 2016 before the team traded for Aroldis Chapman on July 26, and Chapman took over the role for the rest of the season, as the Cubs won the World Series. Chapman is a free agent, and on Monday, he told ESPNs Marly Rivera that he has not heard from the Cubs since he became a free agent.The 24-year-old Soler, who missed almost two months because of a strained left hamstring, batted .238 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in 86 games for the Cubs last season. He has 27 home runs in 111 career games and has primarily played in right field, but could fill a need at designated hitter for the Royals after?Kendrys Morales?departure.ESPNs Jesse Rogers and Buster Olney contributed to this report. ' ' '