The Anoka-Ramsey Men's Basketball team built a 19 point lead early in the second half, then hung on for a 91-84 win over M|State Fergus Falls on Thursday night.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 46.8 percent overall, but just 5 of 22 from three including 0 for 10 in the second half.

But the Golden Ram defense held tough, particularly in the first half, as the Spartans shot just 39 percent for the game and 6 of 37 from three (16.2 percent), including 3 of 24 in the first half.

Anoka-Ramsey led 32-27 with about eight minutes to go in the first half, then went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to extend the lead.

Still leading by ten with three minutes to play, the Golden Rams finished the half on a 11-5 spurt to take a 55-39 lead into halftime.

The lead ballooned to 59-40 early in the second half before the Spartans made their run.  An 11-0 M|State run pulled them within eight, but the Golden Rams responded and built their 19 point lead again, 75-56 with 11 minutes to go.

But the Spartans kept chipping away and pulled back within six 83-77 with just over three minutes left, then cut it to four - 86-82 with 1:49 to play.

Ontario Chapman scored a layup, follwed by one of two free throws for a 89-82 cushion, and Jacob Say sealed the game with two free throws late.

Chapman scored 25 points and pulled in 12 rebounds as Anoka-Ramsey won the rebound battle 59-44.

Carson Critchley scored 15 points in his first start, making 3 of 9 from three and 6 of 12 field goals overall.

Terrell Fountain scored 12 points, and Say added 10 to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

Anoka-Ramsey improves to 8-6 overall, 1-0 in the MCAC Southern Division.  The Golden Rams will travel to Riverland on Saturday, January 8 for a 3pm start.