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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. Air Max Outlet Wholesale . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Clearance Air Max Outlet .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. http://www.airmaxoutletcheap.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Nike Air Max China Wholesale . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Air Max Outlet Sale . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play.A full-strength Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night - live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.55pm - looking to maintain their hopes of qualifying for next seasons Europa League. Jurgen Klopps side are currently in eighth, two points behind seventh-in-the-table Southampton and four points behind sixth-placed West Ham United, but with a game in hand on their rivals.With the top seven in the Premier League likely to qualify for Europe next season, the Reds know a midweek win over Chelsea will almost certainly put entry into the Europa League in their own hands. Im not too interested in when Chelsea can next win the title and I have no idea when we can but I promise we will try everything to build on the base of this season, said Klopp, who is preparing for his 50th match in charge of the club. Jurgen Klopp wont prioritise Liverpools Europa League final above their Premier League match against Chelsea We can get sixth position, it isnt the biggest success in the history of Liverpool, but everyone interested in Liverpool can see the good signs and we will build on it.We have to improve and I am sure we will. A lot of things need to be perfect for a really good season.The Blues, meanwhile, travel to Merseyside with nothing but pride to play for after a disappointing defence of the title they won last season. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expects Jordan Henderson to back for Euro 2016 but doubts hell be ready for their Europa League final against Sevilla And interim head coach Guus Hiddink knows just what a tough challenge his players will face on Wednesday, especially given Liverpools transformation since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers at the club in October.They made a good (managerial) change, said the Dutchman. It is club with a huge history and it is an energetic team Klopp has formed. They can be very resilient, Hiddink said.They have a good skilful team but are also mentally tough and it is nice to see.Team newsLiverpool are likely to restore most of their first-choice players after resting eight in the 2-0 home win against Watford on Sunday.Three of the back four will return in Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure - Alberto Moreno played against the Hornets - with Emre Can and James Milner set to start in midfield. Liverpools Jordan Henderson says he wont rush back from injury but is hoping to play a part in the Europa League final Striker Daniel Sturridge is set to get a run-out up front after being an unused substitute at the weekend, while Adam Lallana, who was not even in the squad against Watford, is also expected to be recalled, and left-back Brad Smith is back in the squad after suspension.dddddddddddds for the visitors, captain John Terry begins a two-match suspension on Wednesday. Thibaut Courtois returned from a ban in goal in the 3-2 loss at Sunderland, when Terry was sent off for the second time this season to incur the season-ending suspension.Loic Remy, Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic are all injured, Pedro may miss out with a broken nose suffered at home, while defender Kurt Zouma (knee) is a long-term absentee. Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink thinks John Terry is fit enough to continue playing at the highest level but isnt sure itll be a Stamford Bridge Opta statsVictory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season ended a run of six Premier League games without a win against the Blues for the Reds (D3 L3).Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games against Chelsea and conceded two goals in each of the last three meetings at Anfield. Chelseas Oscar thinks its a disaster that theyve failed to qualify for a major European competition for the first time in 10 years The first goal of the game has been scored in the opening 10 minutes in four of the last five league meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea.If Liverpool win it will be the 27th home win in this fixture in the Premier League (currently 13 each) - no Premier League fixture has had more (Liverpool v Newcastle also 27).Chelsea have conceded 50+ goals in a Premier League season (51) for the first time since 1996/97 when they conceded a joint-club-record 55 in the competition (also in 1994/95). John Terry may have played his last game for Chelsea Paul Mersons predictionChelsea looked as though they were going to spoil the party at Sunderland, but they are not playing with the same intensity and twice gave up the lead.Some of the squad will have an eye on the Euros and I fancy Liverpool, who keep going from strength to strength, to get the victory.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)BettingLiverpool are 19/20 favourites with Sky Bet to pick up the points with Chelsea available at 13/5, while the draw is priced at 11/4.Sturridge is the 7/2 favourite to score first followed by Christian Benteke (9/2).You can find all the odds and predictions from Sky Sports pundits here. ' ' '