The Anoka-Ramsey Men's Basketball team suffered their first loss of the season, but rebounded with a win the following night to split their weekend series with MCAC Northern Division opponents.

The Golden Rams lost on Friday night to Itasca 72-66 in an even matchup.

Both teams shot 23 of 57 from the field (40.4 percent), with Anoka-Ramsey connecting on nine threes to eight for Itasca.  But the Vikings went 18-22 from the free throw line compared to 11 of 13 for Anoka-Ramsey to make up the difference.

Anoka-Ramsey held an early 10-4 lead before a run by Itasca gave the visitors a 13-12 lead.

Itasca extended the lead to five points on a few occasions but the Golden Rams settled on a 32-29 deficit at halftime.

A jumper from Albert Tinnel, followed by another from Jacob Say, and a three from Steven Colon and the Golden Rams suddenly led 36-32 early in the second half.

The game remained tight with Anoka-Ramsey eventually taking a 55-48 lead with 7:44 to play.

But the Vikings responded with a 10-0 run to lead by three, 58-55.

The Golden Rams knotted the score at 58-all before Itasca used a 13-4 run over the next three minutes to pull away with the win.

Tinnel scored 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting to go with six rebounds and four steals.

Colon made 5 of 10 from three on his way to 17 points.

Say and Manny Jingco scored ten apiece.

Anoka-Ramsey bounced back on Saturday with a big 78-49 win over Northland, holding the Pioneers to just 38 percent shooting and forcing 26 turnovers.

A 10-0 Golden Ram run midway through the first half broke open a tied game and allowed Anoka-Ramsey to lead 37-26 at halftime.

Six straight points from Anoka-Ramsey to open the second extended the lead to 17 points and the Golden Rams never let Northland threatened after that.

Tinnell had another big game with 32 points on 12 of 15 shooting and a perfect 6 of 6 on free throws.

Colon added 13 points connecting on three threes.

Yasir Baig scored a career-high 12 points and added nine rebounds, with Manny Jingco adding ten points and nine boards.

The Golden Rams are 3-1 overall and will host Twin Cities rival Dakota County Tech on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00pm.