Using a renewed commitment to the defensive end of the floor, the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team swept a pair of games from MCAC Northern Division opponents on Friday and Saturday.
Friday vs. Central Lakes (W - 68-62)
Despite a poor night shooting the basketball, the Golden Rams were able to pull out the victory over the Raiders by relying on steady defense and rebounding.
Central Lakes opened the game on an 8-0 run behind a pair of three-point baskets only a minute into the game. The lead extended to 13-2 before the Golden Rams began to slowly chip away.
Neither team was able to get much offense going as both defenses continued to force turnovers and contested shots.
With 10 minutes gone in the period the score was only 19-10 in favor of Central Lakes.
However, Anoka-Ramsey began to put together a run of their own with back-to-back three-point field goals from Jerry Butler (sophomore, Hill-Murray) and Kashif Hayes (freshman, St. Louis Park) as the Golden Rams outscored Central Lakes 18-10 over the final ten minutes of the half to pull within 29-28 at the break.
Anoka-Ramsey managed just 27.8 percent shooting in the opening period, but held Central Lakes to 32.4 percent. The key difference in the half was made free throws as Anoka-Ramsey was 6 of 10 compared to just 1 of 4 for the Raiders.
Central Lakes used a 7-1 run in the opening three minutes to take a 36-29 lead.
A three-pointer from Hayes and one of two free throws from Trenton Pollard (sophomore, Prairie Seeds Academy) pulled the Golden Rams within 36-33.
After a basket from the Raiders pushed the lead to five, the Golden Rams used a pair of three-point shots from Hayes and Pollard, along with a basket from Justin Casey (sophomore, Park Center) to go on a 8-0 run and take a 41-38 lead.
The Raiders used a timeout to regroup and proceeded to go on a 10-0 run to retake the lead 48-41 with 10:15 left to play.
Anoka-Ramsey still trailed by seven (52-45) with 8:44 left in the game before holding Central Lakes scoreless over a five minute stretch to take a 57-52 lead with 3:50 left to play.
The Golden Rams would not relinquish the lead over the last 3:50 of the game and hold on for the 68-62 win.
Anoka-Ramsey finished the game just 22 of 69 from the field (31.9 percent) including 8 of 26 from the three-point line (30.8 percent). Central Lakes managed just 32.4 percent shooting including 7 of 28 from the three-point line.
Anoka-Ramsey held a 16-7 advantage in made free throws which proved to be the difference in the game.
Pollard finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists for the Golden Rams.
Casey recorded his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Hayes came off the bench to score 10 points, while Chris Byrgiotis (sophomore, Melbourne, Australia) chipped in with nine points.
Anthony Brama (sophomore, St. Anthony Village) scored six points and pulled in eight rebounds as the Golden Rams controlled the glass 53-46.
Saturday vs. Fond du Lac (W - 78-55)
The Golden Rams opened the Saturday afternoon game scoring the first five points, and would never trail throughout the contest.
That doesn't mean it came easy against the Thunder.
While the Golden Rams were able to extend the lead in the opening period, Fond du Lac continued to have an answer to keep the game close.
Ten minutes into the game Anoka-Ramsey pulled ahead 22-13 after two made free throws from Cam Cummings (sophomore, St. Croix Lutheran).
The lead extended to 13 points 28-15 with 5:08 to play in the period before things started going the Thunder's way.
A quick seven points cut the lead to six with 3:32 to play, but the Golden Rams answered and pushed to lead back to 11 (33-22) with 2 minutes remaining.
Some costly errors to end the half allowed Fond du Lac to score the final seven points and Anoka-Ramsey entered the break with a 33-29 lead.
Hayes scored the first basket of the second half, but Fond du Lac responded with the next two field goals to pull within two points at 35-33.
A Tyler Matsen field goal (freshman, Washington Park, Wisconsin), a putback by Casey, followed by a three-point field goal by Fond du Lac made it a three point game.
After a timeout by Fond du Lac, the Golden Rams came out with a renewed defensive energy and proceeded to put together a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to take their biggest lead at 50-36.
The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes before Anoka-Ramsey extended the lead to 18 points (63-45) with 6:50 remaining and the Thunder would not threaten again.
Anoka-Ramsey shot 55.2 percent in the second half to finish 29 of 63 from the field (46 percent).
Fond du Lac was held to just 21 off 66 shooting (31.8 percent) including just 6 of 26 from the three-point line (23.1 percent).
The Golden Rams committed a season-low seven turnovers.
Five players scored in double-figures for Anoka-Ramsey with Casey leading the way at 13 points.
Byrgiotis and Pollard each scored 12 points.
Joel McFall (freshman, Geelong, Australia) scored a career-high 11 points, and Brama chipped in with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Golden Rams improve to 3-4 on the season.
Next up is a road trip against MCAC Northern Division foes Vermilion Community College (Friday, December 12 at 8:00pm) and Mesabi Range College (Saturday, December 13 at 3:00pm).
No comments:
Post a Comment