The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team knocked off the #3 ranked team in the nation, Central Lakes College, 83-76 in Brainerd, MN on Saturday afternoon.
Anoka-Ramsey jumped out to an early lead 21-12 before Central Lakes closed the gap. The teams exchanged leads ten times in the opening period and were also tied ten times with Central Lakes hitting a runner in the lane to take a 36-34 lead at the halftime buzzer.
Richard Harmon scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the opening period to keep the Golden Rams in the game. As a team, Anoka-Ramsey shot 51.9 percent in the half.
The second half was just as close with neither team leading by more than the seven point final margin. With 45 seconds left, and Anoka-Ramsey clinging to a two point lead, Jonathan Conner stepped to the line to hit two free-throws and give the Golden Rams a four point edge.
Following a timeout after Conner's second free-throw, Trey Scott came up with a steal and layup on the inbounds pass to all but seal the game for Anoka-Ramsey.
Clutch free-throw shooting by both Scott and Harmon helped keep Central Lakes at bay in the final seconds.
Neither team shot particularly well from the charity stripe, with Anoka-Ramsey finishing 15-24 and Central Lakes 16-27 but only 11-22 in the second half.
Anoka-Ramsey shot 53.4 percent for the game after going 17-31 in the second half. Central Lakes shot 41.3 percent with the Golden Rams holding the Raiders to only 38.2 percent in the second half, including 3-11 from the three-point line.
Both teams pulled down 33 rebounds.
The Golden Rams were led by Harmon's 28 points and eight rebounds on 8-17 shooting and 9-12 from the line. Scott scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half and also had eight rebounds.
Matt Fridberg scored all 12 of his points in the second half on 6-7 shooting. Conner contributed nine points off the bench including the two late free-throws.
With the win, and Riverland's loss to Rochester on Saturday afternoon, Anoka-Ramsey clinched a spot in the MCAC State Tournament. Anoka-Ramsey is now in a tie for third place at 6-4 in the Southern Division with Minnesota State-Fergus Falls.
The Golden Rams are now 18-7 on the season. They next play on Wednesday, February 16th at 8:00pm at home vs. Minnesota West. Anoka-Ramsey defeated Minnesota West 70-53 in their earlier meeting this season.
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