The Anoka-Ramsey Men’s Basketball team picked up a key league win by defeating Rochester 97-90 on Monday night.

With the win, the Golden Rams have moved into a three-way tie at the top of the Southern Division standings with Riverland and St. Cloud Tech, while Rochester drops a game back in the fourth position.

Anoka-Ramsey fell behind 19-12 but rallied to eventually lead 51-43 at halftime thanks to 6 of 8 shooting from three in the first half.

After Rochester pulled within five points, Anoka-Ramsey went on an extended run to pull ahead by 16 points, 73-57 with 10:37 to play.  The lead grew to 19 points, 81-62 before the offense stalled and Rochester made a run.

The Yellowjackets used an 11-2 run to keep the game tight.  Then cut the deficit to five points with just over two minutes to play.

But a Rodney Owens layup, and a Matthew Ellingson dunk provided enough cushion to keep Rochester at bay and the Golden Rams held on for the win.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 68.8 percent overall and made 9 of 14 threes.

The game saw 43 fouls called with Anoka-Ramsey shooting 22 of 30 from the free throw line, and Rochester making 23 of 31 attempts at the stripe.

The Yellowjackets shot 40 percent but stayed in the game thanks to 19 offensive rebounds and forcing 20 Anoka-Ramsey turnovers.

Owens shot 8 of 11 from the field and 8 of 11 at the line for 24 points.

Ellingson finished with 16 points and four blocks.

Manny Jingco and Albert Tinnel each tallied 13 points, and Micah Adkins added 11.

Jacob Say dished out eight assists, and Tinnel hauled in 12 rebounds.

The Golden Rams improve to 10-7 overall, 5-2 in the MCAC.