The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team rallied from a 16 point second half deficit to force overtime, and outlasted Western Tech in the extra period for a 88-84 win.

The Golden Rams opened a 14-5 lead after back-to-back three-pointers from Edvonte Copeland just five minutes into the game.

Western Tech responed with a 9-2 run to pull within 16-14 and eventually take a 26-25 lead.

A 7-0 spurt by the Golden Rams pushed Anoka-Ramsey into a 32-26 lead with 4:19 to play in the period, but Western Tech would respond again to take a 34-32 lead with 1:15 to play.

The teams traded leads to end the half before settling on a 38-all tie at halftime.

The Golden Rams started slow in the second half, allowing Western Tech to go on a 16-0 run and take a 54-39 lead with 16:49 left in the game.

Still trailing by 16 with 15:29 left the Golden Rams would begin to chip away.

Mamadou Ngom would score seven straight points for Anoka-Ramsey to pull within 58-49.

After a Western Tech field goal, Harley Shear would score two baskets around a Tyler Matsen three-pointer and Anoka-Ramsey was within four, 60-56 with 9:46 left in regulation.

Western Tech pushed the lead back to eight, 71-63 with 5:06 to play before five straight points from Falmata Tula pulled Anoka-Ramsey within 71-68.

Western Tech scored to make it 74-68, but Copeland would get a steal and a layup followed by a three-pointer and another field goal to go on a personal 7-0 run and the Golden Rams led 75-74 with 1:34 to play.

Western Tech tied the score at 75-apiece with 1:17 to play and neither team could score in the rest of regulation.

Ngom scored to open the overtime period, but the Cavaliers would connect on a three-pointer to take a one point lead.

But it was Copeland again with the answer knocking down two straight threes to give Anoka-Ramsey a 83-78 lead with 2:53 left.

The teams would trade two free throws each to keep the game at a five point difference.

A Western Tech field goal and two free throws cut the deficit to just one for the Cavaliers with 56 seconds left.

Ngom would get fouled on the ensuing Golden Ram possession and make two free throws for a 87-84 lead with 29 seconds to play.

Western Tech would miss a three-point attempt and Shear would get the rebound and make one of two free throws with seven seconds left for the final margin.

The Golden Rams shot 45.8 percent and out-rebounded the Cavaliers 41-37, 13-8 on the offensive end.

Ngom led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds making 10 of 17 shots from the field and 5 of 6 free throws.

Copeland was the only other Golden Ram in double figures with 23 points making 9 of 18 shots and 5 of 11 from beyond the arc while coming away with five steals.

Tula chipped in with eight points and Shear contributed seven.

Anoka-Ramsey improves to 11-8 overall, 3-3 in the MCAC Southern Division.

The Golden Rams will host Riverland on Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00pm.