The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team used a big run to start the second half to help defeat M|State Fergus Falls 73-63 on Saturday afternoon in Fergus Falls.
The Golden Rams led 31-27 at halftime despite shooting just 34.2 percent from the field and only 3 of 16 (18.8 percent) from the three-point line.
Solid defense allowed the Golden Rams to have the four point halftime lead as Fergus Falls managed just 36.7 percent from the field and committed nine turnovers in the opening period.
Anoka-Ramsey fell behind 23-15 with 7:44 to play but would use a 9-0 run to take a 24-23 lead with three minutes left.
Fergus Falls would regain the lead at 27-26, but a three-pointer from Edvonte Copeland, followed by a Mahad Haji steal and assist to Mamadou Ngom just before the end of the half would give Anoka-Ramsey the lead at the break.
Another 9-0 run, capped by a Harley Shear three-pointer would push the lead to 40-27 with 15 minutes left. That run was part of an extended 23-8 run over the first ten minutes of the half as the Golden Rams would lead 54-35.
Fergus Falls cut the deficit to 57-46 with six minutes remaining.
Collin Price would connect on a three-pointer, followed by a layup from Shear and the lead was back to 16 points with five minutes left.
Fergus Falls would fail to make another serious run as Anoka-Ramsey made four of five free throws down the stretch.
The Golden Rams shot 45.5 percent in the second half and made ten free throws for the game compared to just two for the Spartans.
Anoka-Ramsey recorded ten steals in forcing 18 turnovers on the afternoon.
Shear led the way with a career-high 15 points, 13 coming in the second half, to go with five rebounds and three steals.
Copeland scored 12 points and dished out five assists while coming up with three steals.
Haji and Price each finished with ten points.
The Golden Rams improve to 13-8 on the season, 5-3 in the MCAC Southern Division.
Anoka-Ramsey will travel to St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Wednesday, February 3 for a 6:00pm tip.