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PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell got exactly the kind of performance he insists on from his reserves.Ive never been a starter guy, Pikiell said after Rutgers defeated Niagara 78-65 on Sunday in the Scarlet Knight Showcase. I like the finishers. Thats important to me. The way I coach, you gotta be ready.Nigel Johnson led the reserves, equaling a career high with 20 points in helping Rutgers go 4-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. The Knights bench outscored Niagara 42-3.Other non-starter contributors were Mike Williams (12 points), CJ Gettys (eight points and eight rebounds), Eugene Omoruyi (six points, four rebounds and two assists) and Candido Sanders (four blocks).With Rutgers trailing 42-41, Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 14:32 remaining for the third and final lead change. The Knights scored 16 straight for a 57-42 lead, and opened their biggest advantage at 70-51.After we went on that run we created a little distance in our lead, Johnson said. I felt like we did a good job closing the game and that was what we were focused on.Matt Scott had 30 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Purple Eagles, who are 0-4 for the first time since starting with six straight losses in the 1989-90 season. Kahlil Dukes had 12 points and Marvin Prochet 11.If youre around (Scott) every day, you just watch how hes blossoming, Niagara coach Chris Casey said. Its fun to watch. Hes blossoming as a player, as a person, as a student. His work ethic is off the charts.BIG PICTURENiagara: The Purple Eagles held a 65-44 advantage in bench points in the first three games. The Eagles blocked nine shots, which equaled their combined total in the first three games.Rutgers: Pikiell became the first Scarlet Knights mens coach to begin his tenure 4-0 and Rutgers defense has been a major reason. Rutgers has allowed an average of 61.7 points per game and opponents are shooting 36.3 percent (84 of 231) against the Knights. Rutgers blocked 11 Purple Eagles shots. Rutgers has won four straight for the first time since 2012-13 when it won five in a row in December.PURPLE POSITIVESCollins felt his young team did some things out of character during Rutgers decisive run, but was still happy with the way it continues to battle. I thought our guys competed extremely hard, I thought we did some very good things in the game, and weve got to use this to build on, move forward onto the next game.DOWNPLAYING STARTEntering Sundays game, the record of Rutgers first four opponents was a combined 2-9. To Pikiells credit, he is not getting carried away with his start. Asked the significance of 4-0, the coach said Nothing. We have to start working for the next game, these guys know we have a long week ahead of us.TECHNICALITIESThere were four technical fouls called, three on Rutgers with two of them on point guard Corey Sanders, who was ejected with 7:01 left.WELCOME TO NJThe Purple Hawks made their first appearance at Rutgers. Niagara won the only other meeting between the two, 73-61, on Dec. 18, 1969.UP NEXTNiagara: After three straight on the road, the Purple Eagles have their first home game since opening-night when they host Drexel on Wednesday.Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights host North Texas Wednesday and will attempt to start 5-0 for the first time since 2000-01, when they opened the season with six straight home games. Paul Aguilar Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Jose de Jesus Corona Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/hirving-lozano-mexico-jersey/ . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Yasser Corona Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Javier Aquino Mexico Jersey . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Collingwood may have breathed new life into their AFL season following back-to-back wins, but ruckman Brodie Grundy admits the Magpies have been fortunate.Nathan Buckleys side are viewing the second half of the campaign as a chance to redeem themselves following a woeful start to the year, and its so far, so good.Both Fremantle and Carlton have been put to the sword in the past fortnight but a sterner test awaits the Magpies on Saturday when they take on GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium.Grundy conceded the Pies didnt impress many last Saturday night against the Blues - their winning score of 8.9(57)-6.9(45) was the lowest of any side this season - but they graciously accepted the four points.We didnt play our best footy but all things arent fair in this world, he told AAP.We got out with the win and pretty lucky to come away with it.Grundy said inccreased individual efforts is whats required if Collingwood are to have any chance of beating the high-flying Giants.dddddddddddd.It was not enough guys (just) doing what they should. Being where they should be, he said.Not enough players ticking the box.Weve just got to focus a bit more each on playing our role.He exempted several defenders from his criticism, including Ben Sinclair, Ben Reid and Nathan Brown.Like Buckley, Grundy hailed the Magpies defenders as the biggest contributors in recent weeks.After the bye we spoke about wiping the slate clean, seeing what we can make of it, he said.Theres no point trying to dwell on (the first half of the season).We have a tough draw coming up and well take it week by week. ' ' '