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 Brklyn 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 Brk. 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 shting 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 gd defensive team, Fordham coach Jeff Neubauer said of Rutgers. We didnt get the lks we got in other games. We did get some gd lks 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.Kanken Mini Cheap . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Fjallraven Kanken Backpack Cheap . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. http://www.fjallravenkankencheap.com/fjallraven-kanken-classic.html . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Fjallraven Kanken Cheap . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Kanken Big Backpack Sale .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA.The Toyota Free State Cheetahs are Currie Cup Champions having defeated the Blue Bulls 36-16 in Bloemfontein.It was the sides first meeting at this stage of the competition since the 2009 final which the Bulls won, and despite some gd running rugby it was a first-half of penalties that dominated proceedings. Cheetahs Neil Marais and Bulls Tiaan Schoeman kicked early penalties but with the game tied at 3-3, Bulls winger Jamba Ulengo was sin-binned for hands in the ruck after eight minutes.It turned the tide back in the Cheetahs favour with Marais converting two further penalties before the 10th minute. It was a case of pr handling errors costing both teams in the final third and indiscipline at the breakdown giving both teams the only scoring chances.Schoeman brought the Bulls back within striking distance but Cheetahs led by double scores at half-time as Marais kicked three more penalties to Schoemanns one for a 18-9 score at the break.ddddddddddddThe Cheetahs began the second-half as they ended the first with but Marais sent his first attempt wide after the restart. Marais made no mistake with under a half hour to play before they sealed victory. Sergeal Petersen intercepted inside his own half and ran the length of the field before being brought down inside the Bulls 22. The ball was recycled and as the Bulls defence lked to recover, Clayton Blommetjies finished in the corner.Fred Zeilinga added the conversion and a penalty for a 31-9 lead, and despite a consolation converted try from Piet van Zyl, the Bulls left it far t little, t late. Petersen put gloss on the scoreline in the final minutes with a try to secure the Cheetahs first Currie Cup victory since 2007. ' ' '