The Anoka-Ramsey Women's Basketball team beat Western Tech 61-59 on Wednesday evening to remain undefeated in the MCAC Southern Division, handing Western Tech their first division loss.
The Golden Rams, who entered the game ranked #6 in the latest NJCAA poll, built a nine point lead in the fourth quarter before the #9 ranked Cavaliers mounted a comeback.
Raiyne Adams and Chloe Vezies knocked down consecutive threes, around a Western Tech free throw, to extend a 52-48 lead to 58-49 with 8:43 left in the fourth.
Western Tech countered by scoring the next six points to pull within 58-55, but a Charo Nickens three ended the run and gave Anoka-Ramsey a six point lead.
The Cavaliers responded with the next four points to pull within two at the 1:40 mark, but the Anoka-Ramsey defense held tight despite the offense not scoring again to pull out the win.
The Golden Rams started the third quarter on a 9-0 run to break a 33-33 halftime tie. Western Tech pulled back within one point late in the third quarter, setting up the final ten minutes.
A strong defensive effort from both teams kept the game low-scoring, with Anoka-Ramsey shooting 35 percent and Western Tech hitting just 37.1 percent.
The Golden Rams knocked down 12 threes compared to seven for the Cavaliers.
Vezies scored 18 points hitting 5 of 11 from deep.
Adams finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Ariana Owens chipped in with nine points off the bench.
Anoka-Ramsey improves to 13-5 overall, and a perfect 4-0 in league play.
The Golden Rams will travel to Riverland on Saturday, February 1st.