The Anoka-Ramsey Women's Basketball team battled for 40 minutes before ultimately falling 58-54 to #1 ranked Rochester on Wednesday evening.

The Golden Rams entered as the #3 team in the country for this matchup of top teams.

Anoka-Ramsey took a five point lead into halftime thanks to 53.3 percent shooting in the second quarter when they outscored the Yellowjackets 21-13.  Anoka-Ramsey boasts the second best defense in the country, holding opponents to 43.6 points per game.  Rochester shot just 23.1 percent in the second quarter.

The tables turned in the third quarter as Rochester found their groove and made 7 of 13 field goals and 5 of 6 free throws in the quater to turn the five point deficit into a six point lead heading into the fourth.

Anoka-Ramsey took a 51-49 lead with 6:18 to go but managed just three points the rest of the way as Rochester used a 6-0 spurt to take the lead for good.

The Golden Rams finished the night shooting 41.2 percent and outrebounded Rochester 38-35.  The key difference came at the free throw line as Rochester made 16 of 20 from the charity stripe to just 6 of 14 for Anoka-Ramsey.

Alani Pettis scored 17 points making 3 of 6 from three to go along with nine rebounds and two steals.

Jordan McMahon scored 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting.

Delana Washburn tallied 11 points, all in the first half to spark Anoka-Ramsey.

Bella Kanz finished with a ten point, ten rebound double-double.

Anoka-Ramsey falls to 16-4 overall, 4-2 in the MCAC Southern Division.  Due to Ridgewater not fielding a women's team, the Golden Rams are next in action on Saturday, February 3 when they travel to Minnesota West.