The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Women's Basketball team used strong third and fourth quarters on Friday and Saturday to get two wins.

The Golden Rams defeated NJCAA Division I Bismarck State College 84-66 on Friday evening before pulling away to defeat Vermilion 78-54 on Saturday afternoon.

Vs. Bismarck State (W 84-66)

The first quarter was a shootout with the Mystics as it seemed both teams wouldn't miss.

The Golden Rams shot a blistering 11 of 19 in the period (57.9 percent) to the Mystics 50 percent (10 of 20), but the Mystics held a 6-2 advantage in made three-pointers to hold a 26-25 lead after the first period.

The hot shooting continued for the Golden Rams in the second period, but the defense improved in limiting the Mystics outside shooting.

The Golden Rams took a 30-28 lead following a Rashonna Thomas three-pointer and two free throws from Eryn Eilertson.

Leading 40-39 with 3:52 left, Anoka-Ramsey finished the half on a 7-1 run to go into the break up 47-40.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 47.1 percent in the second period, but held Bismarck to just 28.6 percent including just 2 of 7 from the three-point line.

The third and fourth quarters followed a similar pattern as the Golden Rams pulled away.

A free throw from Daron Mainville, and another three from Thomas pushed the lead to 51-40.

Bismarck cut the deficit to 52-47, but back-to-back threes from Thomas around a Bismarck layup gave Anoka-Ramsey a 58-49 lead.

Two layups from Mainville and two free throws from Za'Keea Sa'eed-El pushed the lead to 64-49 with 40 seconds left in the third.

Another three-pointer, this time from Chaniya Rogers, put the Golden Rams up 67-51 after the third period.

Anoka-Ramsey extended the lead to 20 points on two occasions in the fourth period and coasted in for the win.

The Golden Rams shot 48.5 percent overall and made 12 of 28 three-point attempts (42.9 percent).

Bismarck managed just 33.8 percent for the game after their hot first quarter and missed 20 of their final 24 three-point attempts.

Anoka-Ramsey had three players score 20 or more points led by Mainville's 25 points on 11 of 18 shooting to go with 17 rebounds.

Sa'eed-El and Thomas each poured in 20 points with Thomas connecting on 5 of 8 three-pointers, and Sa'eed-El hitting on 8 of 15 shots overall.

Vs. Vermilion (W 78-54)

The Golden Rams got off to a slow start against the Vermilion, making just 27.3 percent of their shots in the first period including just 1 of 13 three-point attempts.

Vermilion didn't fare much better in the opening period and the teams entered the second quarter tied at 13 apiece.

In the second quarter the Golden Rams started making their run.

Rashonna Thomas hit back-to-back threes to open the second period and push the Golden Rams to a 19-15 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Consecutive layups from Layana Wright-Ponder pushed the lead to 11 at 32-21, but Vermilion managed to cut the deficit to just eight at halftime, 34-26.

Daron Mainville scored the first seven Golden Ram points to open the third period and extend the lead to 41-28.

Another Thomas three increased the lead to 51-30 and the Golden Rams would outscore Vermilion 26-10 in the third period to put the game away.

The lead was extended to 32 after a Chaniya Rogers three-pointer, and again hit 32 following a Megan Nelson jumper and the Golden Rams cruised from there.

Anoka-Ramsey made 18 of 31 shots in the second and third periods combined to blow the game open.

Mainville recorded her fourth straight double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Thomas finished with 19 points making five three-pointers to go with nine rebounds.

Wright-Ponder finished with nine points, Makayla Paggen chipped in eight points, and Rogers finished with seven as the Golden Ram starters accounted for 68 of the team's 78 points.

The Golden Rams are now 9-4 overall.