The Anoka-Ramsey Women's Basketball team once again claimed the NJCAA Region XIIIA Championship last weekend in Thief River Falls, MN.

The Golden Rams beat Central Lakes in the semifinals by a score of 65-21, then rallied to knock off #2 ranked Minnesota West 67-66 in the championship game.

Anoka-Ramsey earns an automatic bid to the 2025 NJCAA Division III National Tournament March 12-15 in Rochester, MN.  The Golden Rams await seeding from the NJCAA before knowing when and how they will play first.

Against Central Lakes the defense dominated, holding the Raiders to single digits in every quarter.  CLC shot just 13.6 percent overall (8 of 59) and 2 of 24 from the three-point line.

Anoka-Ramsey countered with 37.3 percent shooting and owning the boards 50-35.

Four Golden Rams scored in double figures led by 17 points from Mariam Alowonie, who added 13 rebounds.

Sydney Hazuga scored 13 points, Tereya Vaughn scored 12, and Jada Lussier tallied ten points.

In the final, Anoka-Ramsey trailed 27-13 in the second quarter, but rallied to pull within 36-33 at halftime.

A 3-pointer from Lussier gave the Golden Rams their first lead of the game, 44-42 with 3:23 to go in the third quarter.

Minnesota West retook the lead in the fourth quarter, 59-57 and extended it to 61-57 with under five minutes left.

But Lynae Walker scored five straight points, followed by another Lussier 3 to give Anoka-Ramsey a 64-61 advantage.

With the score tied at 66-all, Alawonie was fouled with four seconds left and made one of two free throws for a 67-66 lead, and Minnesota West committed a turnover on the final possession.

Alowonie was named the Region XIIIA Most Valuable Player after scored 26 points on 12 of 20 shooting.

Bella Kanz chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Walker finished with eight points and seven assists.

Head Coach Samantha Doucette earned NJCAA Region XIIIA Coach of the Year honors.

More information about the National Tournament will be released later in the week.