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. Cheap Air Max For Sale .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Cheap Wholesale Air Max Shoes . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. http://www.cheapairmaxchina.com/ .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Cheap Air Max Wholesale . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Cheap Air Max China Free Shipping . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. NORMAL, Ill. -- Paris Lee scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Illinois State to an 81-72 win over Saint Josephs on Sunday.Deontae Hawkins added 21 points to go with eight rebounds, MiKyle McIntosh had 14 points and Phil Fayne 10 for Illinois State (6-3), which remains undefeated on its home court this season. Lee shot 8 for 11 from the field, hitting 4 of 6 from long range, and sank all four free throw attempts.Illinois State led 41-27 at the break but hhad to hold off a Saint Josephs surge in the second half that twice cut the deficit to five.dddddddddddd The Redbirds responded with a 9-2 spurt that included 3-pointers from Hawkins and Lee to stretch the advantage to 57-45 with 8:47 left and hung on from there.Shavar Newkirk led Saint Josephs (5-5) with 21 points and Charlie Brown added 14. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '