No. 1 Lady Jays rout No. 3 Anoka-Ramsey while men also get win

The No. 1 Minnesota West Lady Jays dominated No. 3 Anoka-Ramsey, particularly in the second half, as they earned a 64-42 victory over the Golden Rams on Wednesday night at the Center for Health and Wellness in Worthington.

The Lady Jays edged Anoka-Ramsey 62-59 in their first meeting this season, a result that knocked the Golden Rams from the No. 1 spot and put Minnesota West there instead. While Anoka-Ramsey certainly aimed to avenge that loss, it was the Lady Jays getting a statement win instead.

Anoka-Ramsey got a layup at the first-quarter buzzer for a 16-15 edge, but Minnesota West came on strong in the final stages of the second stanza and wound up taking a 28-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. The home team then outscored the Golden Rams 18-11 in the third quarter and 18-10 in the fourth.

The Lady Jays suffocated Anoka-Ramsey defensively by holding the Golden Rams to just 25% shooting from the floor. They also forced 19 turnovers and outrebounded A-R 47-35.

Izzy Klumper paced Minnesota West, now 18-5 overall and 7-0 in MCAC South play, with 15 points. Katrina Schutz contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, and Payton Reimers had 12 points and seven rebounds. Maddie Kamm chipped in with nine points, seven assists, six rebounds and a pair of steals.

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The Minnesota West men's basketball team held off a Anoka-Ramsey comeback Wednesday night and came away with a 82-79 home victory over the Golden Rams.

The Bluejays came into the game with a 10-11 overall record while Anoka-Ramsey was 17-5, but Minnesota West was tough throughout. After a 10-0 Golden Rams' burst put A-R ahead 27-20 in the first half, the Bluejays quickly answered and went on to retake the lead at 30-29. The teams ended the first half tied at 34.

Minnesota West started the second half strongly and went up by 13 points with 11:16 to go, but the Golden Rams were by no means done. Anoka-Ramsey trimmed the lead down to one, but Minnesota West opened up some breathing room following a Golden Ram technical foul. The Bluejays got four clutch free throws in the waning seconds from Kewone Jones, and a desperation 3-point try from A-R hit the rim for a miss as time expired.

Jones had a big night for Minnesota West, as he scored 26 points while making all 10 of his free throws while also adding eight rebounds. Da'Shaundis Moore had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bluejays. Calvin Flood had 14 points and Austin Florence 13. 

Minnesota West outrebounded Anoka-Ramsey 44-34 and also enjoyed a huge edge at the foul line, making 23-of-27 free throws compared to just 7-of-11 for the Golden Rams.