The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team fell 81-78 in overtime to Vermilion Community College in the Region XIII/MCAC Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.

The Golden Rams had a chance to win in regulation but could not convert on an inbounds play underneath their own basket.

Anoka-Ramsey led 13-9 with 14 minutes left in the first half, but Vermilion would score the next nine points to take a 18-13 lead.

The Golden Rams responded with a 12-0 of their own to take a 25-18 lead after a three-pointer from Mahad Haji.

Leading 32-27 with three minutes left in the half, the Golden Rams would fail to score the rest of the period and go into the break down 35-32.

A tight second half saw neither team lead by more than four points until back-to-back three-pointers from Edvonte Copeland and Haji gave the Golden Rams a 60-53 lead with 9:47 left.

Vermilion trimmed the deficit to two points, 60-58 with 8:12 to play and would tie the score at 62 apiece with 5:18 left.

Brandon Hixson connected on a jumper to retake the lead for Anoka-Ramsey and a three-pointer from Collin Price would give the Golden Rams a 69-65 edge with 2:34 to play.

Three Vermilion free throws cut the deficit to one point but another Copeland three-pointer would push the lead back to four with a minute left.

Vermilion made one of two free throws to pull within three, but the Golden Rams would miss the front end of a one-and-one, and subsequently fouled a Vermilion three-point shooter with 23 seconds left.

Vermilion made the first two free throws, but missed the third, however they came down with the offensive rebound, scored and got fouled again to take a 74-72 lead with 15 seconds to play.

Harley Shear drove the length of the court and scored a layup with eight seconds to play.

The Golden Rams forced a turnover and had an inbounds play with 1.6 seconds left but could not convert and the game would go into overtime tied at 74.

Vermilion struck first, but another Shear layup tied the score.

A Vermilion three-pointer gave them a three-point advantage with three minutes left, but another Shear bucket cut the deficit to one.

Vermilion made one of two free throws to take a two point lead, but Anoka-Ramsey couldn't score on the their next possession and were forced to foul again.

Once again Vermilion made just one of two from the line for a three-point lead.

After a Golden Ram timeout, Haji's three-point attempt was blocked and Vermilion escaped with the win.

The Golden Rams shot 41.4 percent, 51.7 percent in the second half.

Vermilion out-rebounded Anoka-Ramsey 53-34 including a 24-11 advantage on the offensive glass.

Copeland led the Golden Rams with 19 points.

Haji scored 18 points.

Mamadou Ngom finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Shear finished with ten points.

The Golden Rams drop to 16-12 on the season and will face Mesabi Range at 12:00pm Saturday in the tournament consolation semifinals.