The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team shot under 40 percent for just the second time all season, but used a strong defensive effort in beating M|State Fergus Falls 77-57 on Wednesday evening.

The Golden Rams entered the game shooting 48 percent overall on the season, but managed just 37.3 percent against the Spartans.

However, the defense picked up the slack giving M|State very few good looks in holding the Spartans to 30.6 percent from the field and 6 of 25 from the three-point line.

The Golden Rams built a 22-8 lead after a Ramose Riddley layup with 11 minutes left in the first half and held a 31-19 lead with 4:31 to play before ending the half on a 12-6 run to lead 43-25 at the break.

Anoka-Ramsey took their first 20-point lead at 46-25, but M|State trimmed the deficit to just 11, 49-38 with 12:35 left.

Mahad Haji answered with a three pointer, and Zane Lind added a jumper to push the lead back to 15 points.

The Spartans answered again cutting the Golden Ram lead to 63-52 with 4:21 left.

Edvonte Copeland would score the next seven points, two layups and a three-pointer, to push the lead back to 18 and M|State wouldn't threaten again.

Copeland led all scorers with 23 points.

Lind was the only other Golden Ram in double figures with 11 points.

Malik Williams and Mamadou Ngom each chipped in nine points.

Harley Shear scored eight points making 4 of 5 shots from the field.

The Golden Rams improve to 15-1 overall, 3-0 in the MCAC Southern Division.

Anoka-Ramsey will travel to rival St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Saturday, January 21 in a matchup of nationally ranked Top Ten teams.  The Golden Rams were #4 and the Cyclones #8 in this week's poll.