The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Men's Basketball team put on an impressive offensive display over the course of three games to win the 2017 NJCAA Region XIII Championship this weekend and advance to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.

The Golden Rams defeated Rainy River in the quarterfinals 106-89 after taking a 64-36 lead at halftime.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 51.8 percent overall and made 10 of 31 three-point attempts.  The Golden Rams outrebounded Rainy River 43-31.

In the semifinals the Golden Rams jumped out to a 8-0 lead on Central Lakes and steadily built a 20 point lead at halftime.  Central Lakes was unable to get any closer than 16 points in the second half as Anoka-Ramsey cruised to a 111-81 win.

The Golden Rams shot a staggering 71.4 percent in the second half and 59.7 percent overall including making 18 of 34 three-point attempts.

In Sunday's Championship game, Anoka-Ramsey faced arch-rival Rochester Community and Technical College.  The two teams split their regular season matchups, each winning by three points on their home courts.

Anoka-Ramsey once again jumped out from the gate, leading 7-0 early in the game and took a 16-6 lead after a Zane Lind layup.

Rochester fought back and pulled with 23-20 with 8:51 left in the half but the Golden Rams started to pull away.

Consecutive threes from Mahad Haji and Mamadou Ngom increased the lead to ten points with five minutes left and the lead stretched to 15 points after a Malik Williams layup and two Lind free throws.

Anoka-Ramsey would lead 46-32 at halftime after shooting 42.9 percent and holding Rochester to just 29.7 percent.

Williams would open the second half with a layup followed by a Ngom layup and the lead was up to 18 points.

Two free throws from Kevin Schramm upped the lead to 21 points before a three from Williams and four straight from Ramose Riddley increased the lead to 26 points, 67-41 with 13:47 left.

Rochester cut the deficit to 18 and looked like they might put on a run, but a three from Williams and two Edvonte Copeland free throws put the lead right back up to 23 and essentially sealed the game.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 59.3 percent in the second half and outrebounded Rochester 41-33.

Ngom scored 19 points to go with seven rebounds.

Williams finished with 18 points making 4 of 8 from three.

Lind and Copeland each scored 14 points.

Riddley finished with 11 points and Schramm chipped in ten points.

Haji and Harley Shear each scored seven points.

Mamadou Ngom was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Edvonte Copeland and Zane Lind each made the All-Tournament Team.

Anoka-Ramsey advances to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament March 16-18 in Rochester, MN.