The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team picked up a key win over Riverland on Wednesday evening 86-79 to maintain first place in the MCAC Southern Division standings.
The Golden Rams shot 48.1 percent for the game and hit 11 of 22 from the three-point line while also making 25 free throws to Riverland's 12.
Anoka-Ramsey fell behind 4-0 but quickly evened the score at 8-8 before a 7-2 run put them ahead 15-10 after a Jackson Odegard three.
Riverland would regain the lead and go ahead 22-17 with ten minutes left in the first half but the Golden Rams defense would hold the Blue Devils scoreless for the next five minutes in taking a 27-22 lead.
A Justin Castro layup extended the lead to 30-24, and a DeAndre Jones layup put Anoka-Ramsey ahead 34-26, an advantage they would take into the break.
Riverland pulled with 34-29 early in the second half. A Malik El-Amin three gave the Golden Rams a 40-31 edge with 17 minutes to play.
The Blue Devils remained in striking distance for much of the second half before a 4-point play from James Lloyd extended the lead to ten.
Riverland pulled back within 59-52, but a Chris Morgan layup followed by another Lloyd three gave the Golden Rams a 64-52 lead.
Riverland countered with a bucket before another Lloyd three extended the lead to 13 points.
After two free throws cut the Riverland deficit to seven, El-Amin connected from long-range to put Anoka-Ramsey back up double digits with 1:34 to go.
The Blue Devils cut the lead back down to six, but Anoka-Ramsey would make 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch including 9 of 10 from Castro.
El-Amin led the way with 20 points making 4 of 6 threes.
Castro finished with 15 making 11 of 12 from the free throw line.
Lloyd chipped in 15 knocking down three threes.
Kevin Schramm and Jones each scored 13 points.
Anoka-Ramsey improves to 14-8 overall, 8-1 in the MCAC Southern Division.