The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Women's Basketball team defeated Rochester 77-55 on Sunday evening to claim the 2016 NJCAA Region XIIIA Championship, and advance to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament March 10-12 in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Anoka-Ramsey dominated the Yellowjackets right from the start jumping out to a 8-2 lead four minutes into the game.

Leading 12-6 with 3:37 left in the first period, the Golden Rams closed the period on a 14-4 run to take a 26-10 lead into the second quarter.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 52.6 percent in the first quarter and held Rochester to just 22.2 percent.

Za'Keea Sa'eed-El knocked down a free throw to push the lead to 32-16.

Rochester closed the gap to 34-25 with 5:07 left in the half, but the Golden Ram defense held Rochester scoreless the rest of the period in taking a 43-25 lead into halftime.

Rochester battled back in the third period, cutting the deficit to 45-37 with 5:29 left, but a three-pointer from Makayla Paggen pushed lead back into double digits.

Rochester closed to within seven points, 50-43, but a layup from Daron Mainville, followed by three consecutive three-pointers (two from Rashonna Thomas, one from Eryn Eilertson) all but put the game away as Anoka-Ramsey led 61-43.

Anoka-Ramsey held off any runs from the Yellowjackets in earning their 15th trip to the National Tournament in the last 24 years.

The Golden Rams shot 45.6 percent overall and held Rochester to just 29.7 percent.

Mainville finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Sa'eed-El scored 14 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists.

Lexus Hughes chipped in with 13 points on 6 of 11 shooting to go with ten rebounds.

Thomas finished with 12 points.

Pairings for the National Tournament will be released in the coming days.

The tournament is being hosted by Brookdale Community College.

The tournament website can be found by clicking here.