WILLMAR - Still seeking its first win in MCAC play, the Ridgewater men's basketball team was giving first-place Anoka-Ramsey all it could handle for the first 20 minutes on Wednesday night.
In the second half, the Golden Rams proved why they're on top.
Anoka-Ramsey (12-8, 6-1) pulled away for a 85-72 win at Ridgewater College as the Warriors (3-14, 0-7) struggled from the field in the second half.
Niko Oliver shouldered the scoring load with a game-high 26 points for Ridgewater, which was playing without another top offensive threat in Daviante Ostrander, who suffered an injury minutes prior to the contest.
The Warriors trailed by two points at halftime, 45-43, after exchanging leads throughout the period, but the Golden Rams quickly pulled out to a double-digit lead after the break.
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Kevin Schramm had 26 points and eight rebounds for Anoka-Ramsey, which also got a double-double from Chris Morgan with 19 points and 15 boards.
Xavier Towne had 16 points and team-best 11 rebounds for Ridgewater.
The Warriors shot just 9-for-33 (27.3 percent) from the field in the second half and hit just one of nine 3-point attempts.
Anoka-Ramsey 85, Ridgewater 72
Anoka-Ramsey (12-8) 45 40 - 85
Ridgewater (3-14) 43 29 - 29
ANOKA-RAMSEY - Scoring: Justin Castro 8, James Lloyd 4, Chris Morgan 19, Kevin Schramm 26, Jackson Odegard 16, DeAndre Jones 8, Elijah Linear 4 ... 3-point shots: Morgan 2, Schramm 2, Odegard 4, Jones 2 ... Rebound leader: Morgan 15 ... Assist leader: Castro 6 ... Steal leader: Castro 2, Schramm 2
RIDGEWATER - Scoring: Niko Oliver 27, Avery Palma 5, Justin Dierks 11, Xavier Towne 16, Rashawn Gant 11, Thomas Meyers 2 ... 3-point shots: Oliver 2, Palma 1, Dierks 2 ... Rebound leader: Towne 11, Palma 6 ... Assist leader: Palma 6 ... Steal leader: Oliver 4
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