The new season for the Nipissing Lakers women’s basketball team began Friday night at home against a very strong opponent who posed an early test for the young Lakers.
The Gaels, coming into the game with a strong roster, used hot shooting and some quickness up and down the court to outrun the Lakers and hand Nipissing a 92-53 loss.
It was all Queens early as they jumped out to a 25-8 lead after the first, as they were able to take advantage of some bounces, as well as hot shooting in the opening frame.
Nipissing was strong in the second quarter, outscoring Queens 16-15, but still trailed 40-24 at halftime, needing a big third and fourth quarter to fight back.
Queens continued their strong outside shooting, extending their lead by putting up 27 points in the third.
Nipissing showed fight and a lot of skill and speed of their own, however, they found themselves down 67-46 after three.
In the fourth and final quarter, the Lakers ran out of time despite showing no quit.
Queens outscored Nipissing in the final 10 minutes and seal the 92-53 decision.
Finnley McElwain led the way for the #Lakers, putting up 14 points, Kylea Galipeau-Wilson had 10 and Natalie Martinez added eight in tonight's contest.
Next up, Nipissing will host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, who lost at Laurentian Friday night.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Surtees Athletic Centre.
A young Nipissing Lakers men’s basketball team faced a tough team to open up the 2019-20 OUA season, which began at the Surtees Athletic Centre Friday night.
Nipissing came up short, losing 90-56 to the Queens Gaels in an offensive battle for both teams.
While it wasn’t the start they were looking for the Lakers trailed by 12 after the first quarter, 21-9, but were unlucky when it came to some bounces.
Looking to close the gap in the second, Nipissing put up 16 points, but unfortunately surrender 29, as they fell behind 50-25 at halftime.
The Gaels went up by 30 after three quarters, putting up another 20 in the third, while Nipissing managed 15 of their own, but were unable to close the gap.
With the game all but in hand in the fourth, the teams traded points, but in the end, another 20 for the Gales put the game out of reach.
The Lakers finished the game with 16 points in the final frame.
Quintin Ashitei had a big game, scoring 24 points leading the way for the #Lakers. In all, 9 players had at least a basket for Nipissing.
Next up, Nipissing will host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, who took on Laurentian Friday night.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the Surtees Athletic Centre.
