Weldon Named MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week

In what has become a pattern the last few weeks, Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball player Joey Weldon was named the MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week for his efforts in the Golden Rams two games last week.

Weldon has won the award four of the past six weeks.

Against #4 ranked Rochester Community and Technical College, Weldon scored 29 points and pulled in 19 rebounds as the Golden Rams fell 105-99.

Three nights later, Weldon tallied 24 points and 20 rebounds in a 70-57 victory over Ridgewater. 

It was the fourth time this season that Weldon has pulled in 20 or more rebounds in a game, and the third time he has recoded at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game.

Weldon is averaging 19 points and 15.1 rebounds per game while shooting 68 percent from the field.  He leads the nation in total rebounds, rebounds per game, and defensive rebounds, while ranking second in field goal percentage.

Anoka-Ramsey is 14-5 on the season, 3-3 in the MCAC Southern Division.  They will travel to La Crosse, WI to face Western Tech on Wednesday, January 29 at 8:00pm.

Game Recap: Golden Rams Drop Second Straight

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team dropped their second straight game by falling to Minnesota West 83-77 on Sunday afternoon.

The Golden Rams jumped out to a 17-10 lead early in the game behind the three-point shooting of Joe Lyons and Lemuel Doe. 

But Anoka-Ramsey cooled off and Minnesota West was able to trim the deficit as the lead changed hands five times in the half before settling on a 31-31 halftime score. 

Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the opening period with Minnesota West managing just 36.7 percent to Anoka-Ramsey's 41.7 percent. 

Ten turnovers by the Golden Rams and six offensive rebounds for Minnesota West (to just three for Anoka-Ramsey) made up the difference in shooting. 

The second half started out well for the Golden Rams as they managed to retake the lead early on. But three consecutive threes by Minnesota West forward Cody Harris turned a one point Anoka-Ramsey advantage into an eight point deficit. 

Minnesota West continued their run after a timeout eventually taking their largest lead 71-58 with over eight minutes remaining. 

But the Golden Rams had another run in them as they cut the deficit to four points a couple time late in the game. Free throws sealed the win for Minnesota West. 

Anoka-Ramsey falls to 13-4 on the season, 2-2 in the MCAC.

Game Recap: Golden Rams Fall in Double Overtime Thriller

The #7 ranked Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team lost a nail-biting thriller 93-92 in double overtime to #2 ranked St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Wednesday evening.

SCTCC guard Riley West made one of two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining for the final margin after both teams traded leads throughout the last six minutes of regulation and both overtime periods.

Overall there were 12 ties and 11 lead changes in the game.

After falling behind 33-30 at halftime, the Golden Rams came out sluggish in the second half, allowing St. Cloud to build their largest lead 49-35 with 15 minutes left in regulation.

From there the Golden Rams began to chip away at the deficit behind the inside play of Joey Weldon, and the perimeter shooting and drives to the basket by Lemuel Doe.

Anoka-Ramsey held brief leads late in the game, but St. Cloud was able to answer with timely baskets of their own as well as free throws.

With 7.2 seconds remaining in regulation, Golden Ram guard Joe Lyons drilled a corner three-point shot to send the game to the first overtime period.

Weldon fouled out early in the first overtime, finishing with 29 points on 10 of 14 shooting and 9 of 12 from the free throw line, along with 18 rebounds and three steals.

Anoka-Ramsey held an 87-84 lead with 30 seconds left, when St. Cloud made two free throws to cut the lead to one.  The Golden Rams turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds, resulting in a foul by Lemuel Doe (his fifth), and St. Cloud make two more free throws to take a 88-87 lead.

Doe fouled out with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.

Anthony Brama pulled down an offensive rebound and got fouled with 8.7 second remaining, making one of two free throws to tie the game at 88.  St. Cloud Tech turned the ball over with 2.3 seconds remaining, but Anoka-Ramsey was unable to score, sending the game to a second overtime.

A three-point play one minute into the second overtime gave St. Cloud Tech the lead, followed by a layup by Anoka-Ramsey's Trent Pollard to cut the deficit back to one.

After a St. Cloud Tech turnover, the Golden Rams couldn't convert on two layup attempts nor a three-point shot to retake the lead.

Both teams traded empty possessions before Lyons was fouled on a defensive rebound attempt with 1:42 remaining.

Lyons converted both free throws to take a 92-91 lead.  He would finish the game with 17 points and four assists.

St. Cloud Tech was called for an offensive foul on their next possession.

With the shot clock winding down, Trent Pollard missed a three-point attempt, but Brandon Johnson pulled in the offensive rebound allowing the Golden Rams another possession with just under a minute to play.

The Golden Rams were fouled with 47.5 seconds left but missed both free throw attempts.  On the second miss, the Golden Rams were called for a foul on the rebound, sending St. Cloud Tech to the line on the other end where they tied the game with one of two free throws.

Anoka-Ramsey was unable to score and St. Cloud Tech called a timeout with 10.7 seconds remaining.

After another St. Cloud Tech timeout, the Golden Rams were called for a hand check on a drive the basket, setting up the final free throw.

Anoka-Ramsey's inbound pass was deflected, and they were not able to get a shot off before time expired.

The Golden Rams fall to 13-3 overall, 2-1 in the MCAC Southern Division.

Anoka-Ramsey will next travel to Minnesota West on Sunday, January 19th for a 3:00pm game.

Golden Rams Ranked #7 in Latest NJCAA Poll

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team came in at #7 in the latest NJCAA Division III national poll released Tuesday.

The Golden Rams were ranked #9 in last week's poll, and #10 in the poll before that.

Anoka-Ramsey is 13-2 on the season, 2-0 in MCAC Southern Division play.

They will host #2 ranked St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00pm.

The full national poll can be found here.

Weldon Named Player of the Week for Third Time

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball player Joey Weldon was named the MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week for the third time this season.

Weldon earned the award by posting per game averages of 20.5 points, 15 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and 2 assists while shooting 16 of 23 from the field in two Golden Ram victories last week.

In a 79-49 win over Riverland Weldon scored 19 points, hauled in 15 rebounds, and recorded six steals.

In the Golden Rams 83-71 victory over MSCTC-Fergus Falls Weldon scored 22 points and again pulled down 15 rebounds.

Weldon leads the nation in rebounding with 14.9 per game.

This is the second consecutive week that Weldon has earned the award.

The Golden Rams have had the last four Southern Division Players of the Week with Trent Pollard earning the award two weeks ago.

Anoka-Ramsey is 13-2 on the season and was #9 in the country last week; a new poll will be released tomorrow by the NJCAA.

The Golden Rams will face #2 ranked St. Cloud Technical and Community College (14-1) on Wednesday, January 15th at 7:00pm on the Coon Rapids campus.

Game Recap: Golden Rams Start MCAC Play 2-0

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team started conference play 2-0 this week, defeating Riverland 79-49 on Wednesday night and MSCTC-Fergus Falls 83-71 on Saturday afternoon. 

On Wednesday the Golden Rams jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, leading by 20 at halftime and building a 33 point lead in the 2nd half. 

Riverland shot just 29.2% from the field including 3 of 22 from the three-point line. 

Anoka-Ramsey forced 18 turnovers and committed just six. 

Joey Weldon lead the way with 22 points and 15 rebounds. 

Trent Pollard scored 17 points. 

Joe Lyons finished with 14 points. 

Lemuel Doe recorded seven points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. 

On Saturday afternoon the Golden Rams shot 52.6%, holding Fergus Falls to 37.9%. 

The Golden Rams also connected on 12 of 22 three-point attempts. 

Trent Pollard scored 17 of his 27 points in the first half, finishing 9 of 14 from the field and 7 of 10 from the three point line. 

Lemuel Doe scored 19 points to go with six assists. 

Joey Weldon scored 19 points and hauled in 15 rebounds. 

Anoka-Ramsey is now 13-2 overall. 

Next up is a home showdown with #2 ranked St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00pm. 

Weldon Named MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball player Joey Weldon was named the MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week for his efforts in games between December 20, 2013 and January 4th, 2014.

In four games during that span Weldon averaged 19 points and 17.5 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field, helping the Golden Rams go 3-1.

In their win over Dakota County Tech Weldon recorded 22 points and a career-high 27 rebounds.

This is the second time Weldon has earned the award and the third straight week a member of the Golden Rams has been MCAC Southern Division Player of the Week.

Anoka-Ramsey is 11-2 on the season and ranked #9 in the nation.

They'll face Riverland Community College on Wednesday, January 8th at 8:00pm in Austin, MN.

Golden Rams Move Up to #9 in Latest NJCAA Poll

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team moved up to #9 in the latest NJCAA Division III poll following their 3-1 performance since the last rankings were released in mid-December.

The Golden Rams defeated Bismarck State, Vermilion, and Dakota County Tech before falling to North Dakota State College of Science.

The Golden Rams are 11-2 on the season with their only two losses coming to NJCAA Division I North Dakota State College of Science.

Conference play begins this week as Anoka-Ramsey travels to Riverland Community College on Wednesday, January 8th for an 8:00pm game, followed by a home contest versus Minnesota State-Fergus Falls on Saturday, January 11th at 3:00pm.

The full national poll can be found by clicking here.

First Half Season Recap

A quick rundown of the non-conference season for the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team.

Team

• Started the season 4-0, lost to NDSCS, then won 7 straight before again falling to NDSCS.  Those are the only two losses on the season.
• Defeated NJCAA Division I Bismarck State.
• Defeated NJCAA Division II Dakota County Tech twice.
• 8-1 home record; 3-1 road record
• 47.8% overall field goal percentage which ranks 15th nationally
• 37.5% three-point field goal percentage which ranks 13th nationally
• Positive assist to turnover ratio (213 assists to 188 turnovers)
• Shot 50% or better in five games
• Shot 36% or better from the three-point line in eight games
• Averaging 8.6 made three-point field goals per game which ranks 7th nationally
• Have won games scoring in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and 100's

Individuals who appear in national statistical rankings

• Trent Pollard - 19.9 points per game - 30th
• Trent Pollard - 84.7% FTs -18th
• Joey Weldon - 14.9 rebounds per game - 1st
• Joey Weldon - 70.4% FGs - 2nd
• Joey Weldon - 64 total offensive rebounds - 6th
• Lemuel Doe - 48.4% 3FGs - 18th

Game Recap: Seven Game Winning Streak Snapped

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team saw their seven game winning streak snapped, by the same team to hand them their only other loss this season, North Dakota State College of Science 90-72 on Saturday evening.

The Golden Rams had their worst shooting performance of the season, struggling to connect on shots they had typically made through their first 12 games.  They shot just 29% in falling behind 47-24 at halftime, and finished the game making just 26 of 73 shots (35.6%).

On the other end, NDSCS was having a hard time missing shots.  The Wildcats seemed to do no wrong in the first half as they shot 60.6% in building their lead.

The start of the second half wasn't much better as NDSCS scored the first nine points, eventually settling into a 33 point lead (59-26).

On the positive side, the Golden Rams shot a season-high 81.3% from the free throw line (13-16).

Trent Pollard lead the Golden Rams with 17 points and five steals.

Joey Weldon scored 13 points and pulled in 11 rebounds.

Lemuel Doe was the only other Golden Ram in double figures with 11 points.

Chris Kpahn and Chris Byrgiotis each tallied eight points.

Anoka-Ramsey finishes the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 11-2 record including wins over NJCAA Division I Bismarck State and two wins over NJCAA Division II Dakota County Tech.

The Golden Rams begin MCAC Southern Division play on Wednesday, January 8th as they travel to Riverland Community College for an 8:00pm game.

Game Recap: Golden Rams defeat DCTC 86-74

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team returned from their holiday break with a 86-74 win over Dakota County Technical College on Friday evening.

It is the seventh straight win for the Golden Rams.

Neither team could do much wrong in the first half with both teams shooting at a high level, trading three-point baskets throughout the start of the game.

Dakota County Tech shot 57.1% from the field including 8 of 12 from the three-point line, compared with 50% from the Golden Rams on 10 of 15 from the three-point line as Anoka-Ramsey took a slim 50-49 lead into the break.

The second half started much the same way with neither team able to take control.

DCTC put together a 11-0 run midway through the half to take a 68-62 lead on Anoka-Ramsey.

The Golden Rams countered with a 19-3 run of their own to retake the lead and pull out the win.

Trent Pollard lead all scorers with 23 points for Anoka-Ramsey.

Joey Weldon scored 22 points and pulled down a career-high 27 rebounds, eight on the offensive end.  Weldon accounted for 18 of the 21 rebounds Anoka-Ramsey grabbed in the second half.

Lemuel Doe scored 18 points and dished out four assists, and Joe Lyons contributed 17 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the three-point line.

Anoka-Ramsey held DCTC to just 30.8% shooting in the second half.

The Golden Rams are now 11-1 on the season.  They'll get a chance to avenge their only loss in a rematch with North Dakota State College of Science on Saturday at 5:00pm.