Coming off a win on the road, the Lakers were unable to make it two in a row, as they fell in a tight contest, losing 76-70.
As the first quarter started, it seemed that these two teams would be evenly matched as baskets were falling pretty freely back and forth. The Lakers showed some speed up and down the court, but Algoma would come right back and answer.
The first quarter ended with the teams tied 13-13.
It was here Algoma would step up their game and start grabbing control of the game.
Despite Nipissing’s best efforts, the Thunderbirds started making shot after shot and they quickly elevated their score finishing the second quarter up 37-29.
Algoma was hot from long range, knocking down a number of threes each trip down the court.
Nipissing managed to keep their spirits going into the third quarter as Algoma continued to climb on them, but the Lakers weren’t going down without a fight.
The third quarter finished with Algoma out in front of Nipissing, 58-45.
Tension built as Nipissing started really fighting for the win in the fourth quarter.
Thanks to a fourth-quarter push, the Lakers cut their deficit to just three and were down 64-61. As the game continued Nipissing’s effort weren’t enough, as the Thunderbirds escaped with a win, finishing the game up six, for a final score of 76-70 over the Lakers.
Marcus Lewis had 19 points, Jaaden Lewis had 16 and Justin Shaver added 13 to pace the Lakers offence Friday night against Algoma.
Nipissing is back in action Saturday when they host Guelph at 8 p.m. at the RJS Athletic Centre.
In a last-second play, thanks to a free-throw, the Lakers came away the win, topping the Algoma Thunderbirds 56-54.
The Lakers had an abundance of energy as they braved the court. Their energy levels only excelled as Nipissing found their range from beyond the arc.
The Thunderbirds came in quietly and soon took the lead. Algoma had a 19-14 advantage after the first quarter, but Nipissing decided they were not going to get any further and tied the score up 19-19 early in the second.
Soon enough the stands were cheering as Nipissing showed some incredible ball movement and grabbed a 28-21 lead in the second.
Algoma pushed back late in the first half and cut into the lead, but the Lakers headed to the dressing room up 31-27.
As the game continued points were scored evenly back and forth between both teams. Nipissing remained energetic all throughout and it helped them keep their lead, building up a 44-38 advantage as the third quarter came to a close.
The final quarter of this game would be one for the team to remember as Algoma caught up in the final minutes, overcoming the Lakers and holding a 52-50 lead late.
Tensions grew as the score tied back up at 52-52.
The Thunderbirds scored another basket to once again take the lead, but Nipissing was not going to give this game away and came back in tying up the score yet again.
With 0.8 left on the clock, Natalie Martinez put up a three, only to be fouled and head to the charity strip to shoot a 3.
She sunk two of the three and pushed the Lakers to a two-point lead and they held off one last Thunderbird chance to claim the win.
Jamie Soffer led the way offensively with 13 points off the bench, while Natalie Martinez and Maeve Therriault added 12 for the Lakers.
The Lakers will look to make it a perfect weekend Saturday when they host the Guelph Gryphons at 6 p.m. at the RJS Athletic Centre.
