Sophomore Jalen Dunlap scored 19 of his 31 points in the second half, including the game-winning jumper with 2.1 seconds left as the Golden Rams rallied for a big 84-82 win over #6 St. Cloud Tech on Wednesday night in St. Cloud.
Anoka-Ramsey struggled to contain the Cyclones in the first half as St. Cloud connected on 17 of 23 shots in taking a 51-36 lead into halftime.
Justin Castro knocked down a jumper to start the second half, followed by a Beau Nelson three, and two Castro free throws to trim the deficit to 51-43.
The Cyclones responded with a 7-2 burst to push lead back into double-digits, and still lead by 12 (66-54) with 10:47 to play before the Golden Rams mounted their comeback.
Steven Colon knocked down a three, followed by three free throws to pull within 66-60.
St. Cloud Tech went back up nine, 72-63 with 5 minutes to play, but five straight points from Dunlap, and a three from Castro pulled Anoka-Ramsey within 74-71 with three minutes left.
The Cyclones would score to go back up five, but Colon would again score and Dunlap knocked down another three to tie the score at 76 apiece with two minutes to play.
After a St. Cloud Tech three, Dunlap got free and knocked down his fifth three, plus got fouled completing the four-point play for a 80-79 Golden Ram lead.
Anoka-Ramsey got a big defensive stop followed by a Castro free throw for a two point lead. Another defensive stop, and a free throw from Jackson Odegard put Anoka-Ramsey up 82-79 with 28 seconds left.
Following a St. Cloud Tech timeout, Keshawn Sutton broke free on the inbounds to make corner three to tie the score at 82-all with 10.2 seconds to play.
The Golden Rams inbounded to Dunlap, who calmly sank a 17 foot jumper from the top of the key with 2.1 seconds to go. St. Cloud Tech's inbound pass was deflected by Nashiem Lozier and their half-court heave at the buzzer was off the mark giving Anoka-Ramsey the win.
Dunlap made 11 of 14 shots including 5 of 7 from three.
Colon scored 18 points making 4 of 9 from three.
Castro finished with 17 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Nashiem Lozier pulled down 14 rebounds.
Anoka-Ramsey improves to 8-6 overall, 1-0 in the MCAC and will travel to Minnesota West on Saturday, January 12.