The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Women's Basketball team suffered their first MCAC Southern Division loss 89-53 at the hands of Minnesota West on Wednesday evening in Worthington.
The Lady Jays, who entered the game tied with Anoka-Ramsey and Rochester atop the division standings, exploited foul trouble for the Golden Rams and ran away with the game late as the Golden Rams finished the game playing four players.
Anoka-Ramsey took an early 7-3 lead after a three from Carly Anderson before the Lady Jays went on a 16-1 run.
Jerusalem Solomon and Kaylee Porisch combined for five straight points to pull back within six before four straight points from MN West pushed the lead back to ten.
But Porisch and Amanda Lindsay each scored to end the first quarter and Anoka-Ramsey trailed just 23-17 after one.
Anoka-Ramsey was still within six points with 6:22 left in the second quarter but a 9-0 MN West run extended the lead to 40-25 and Anoka-Ramsey trailed 42-28 at halftime.
MN West continued to extend the lead through the third quarter, taking a 53-33 lead with 4:26 to play and the Lady Jays would lead 58-42 entering the fourth.
After two Lindsay free throws to start the fourth quarter the Golden Rams were within 14 and it appeared they would get back into the game, but after Mckernon and Porisch fouled out the Lady Jays took advantage of the short-handed Golden Rams and finished the game by outscoring Anoka-Ramsey 31-9.
Mckernon and Anderson each scored 13 points while Porisch chipped in 11 for the Golden Rams.
Anoka-Ramsey falls to 6-11 overall, 4-1 in the MCAC Southern Division. The Golden Rams host Rochester on Saturday, January 27 at 1:00pm.