The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Women's Basketball team split their final two games before winter break, falling to Bismarck State 103-62 on Friday before beating Vermilion 60-39 on Saturday.

On Friday night, the Mystics from Bismarck were too much of an offensive force in building an early 16-4 lead with a 12-0 run.

The Golden Ram offense struggled to keep pace with the hot-shooting Mystics as the lead grew to 26-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Two Megan Mckernon free throws were a hopeful start to the second quarter, but Bismarck State rattled off ten straight points to go up 36-8.

A jumper and two free throws from Amanda Lindsay cut into the deficit, but Bismarck again got hot and pulled ahead 58-20 at halftime.

The Golden Rams fared better in the second half shooting 50 percent in the third period, and 54.5 percent in the fourth while holding Bismarck State to just 42.1 percent shooting in the third, and 43.8 percent in the fourth.  But it wasn't enough significantly cut into the big deficit.

Anoka-Ramsey finished the game 17 of 46 from the field (37 percent) but made 25 of 26 free throws (96.2 percent).

Mckernon finished with 24 points and ten rebounds making a perfect 14 of 14 free throws.

Kaylee Porisch scored 26 points making 9 of 10 free throws.

On Saturday afternoon defense ruled the day as the Golden Rams stifled Vermilion's offensive attack.

After a close first quarter ended with Anoka-Ramsey up 13-12, the Golden Ram defense stepped up in holding Vermilion to just two points on 1 of 18 shooting in the second quarter to take a 20-14 lead into halftime.

Vermilion closed to within 22-19 with 8:31 left in the third before a 8-2 run by Anoka-Ramsey opened up a 30-21 lead.

A Vermilion three cut the lead to 30-24, but Porisch responded with a three of her own to put the Golden Rams back up nine.

Two free throws and a layup from Mckernon pushed the lead to 37-24 and Vermilion would get no closer the rest of the game.

Anoka-Ramsey finished the day shooting 37.7 percent and held Vermilion to just 22.7 percent.

Porisch scored 21 points to go with 15 rebounds.

Mckernon scored 20 points and pulled in 11 rebounds.

Carley Anderson hauled down 12 rebounds.

The Golden Rams enter the winter break with a 2-8 overall record and will host Hibbing on Friday, January 5 and North Dakota State College of Science on Saturday, January 6.