The Anoka-Ramsey Men's Basketball team, depleted by injuries, fell to Rochester 102-95 on Wednesday evening in Coon Rapids.
The Golden Rams were down to just seven players after a string of injuries over the last couple weeks, but battled valiantly to overcome two double-digit deficits.
Anoka-Ramsey trailed by 17 at halftime, but came out firing in the second half, knocking down 13 of 25 threes in the half, eventually evening the score at 70-70 with 11 minutes to play.
Rochester proceeded to use a 13-0 run to take command again, but the Golden Rams were not done.
Beau Nelson and Terrell Fountain connected on back-to-back threes to get back within seven. But Rochester scored the next ten points to take a 92-76 lead with 6:40 to play.
A 7-1 Golden Ram run pulled them back to within ten. And after an Anoka-Ramsey timeout Nashiem Lozier and Josiah Remus-Ford each scored to pull Anoka-Ramsey within 93-87.
Two Remus-Ford free throws got the Golden Rams within four a 93-89 with a minute left.
Rochester made two free throws to go back up by six, but Fountain connected on a three to make it a three point game with 51 seconds left.
A Golden Ram foul put the Yellowjackets back on the line, making just one of two attempts to lead by four. An empty Golden Ram possession, and two more free throws pushed the Rochester lead back to six.
Lozier connected on another three to make it a three point game with 19 seconds to go, but Rochester would make two more free throws, and finish the game with a layup after an Anoka-Ramsey turnover.
Anoka-Ramsey made 16 of 39 threes overall (41 percent) and forced 18 turnovers. Rochester made 25 of 31 free throws compared to 15 of 17 from Anoka-Ramsey.
Fountain scored 26 points while adding ten rebounds.
D.J. Pettigrew went 4 of 7 from three on his way to 20 points.
Lozier scored 17 points, while Beau Nelson nothced 14 points on 4 of 7 shooting from three.
Remus-Ford chipped in with 13 points off the bench.
Anoka-Ramsey is 11-15 overall, 4-9 in the MCAC Southern Division. The Golden Rams will finish their season on Saturday, February 22 when they travel to Western Tech.
