Putting together a complete game – all four quarters at the same pace, same execution and same success had been a problem for the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team lately.

And while the score was tight Friday night in North Bay, the Lakers played a very strong 40 minutes on their way to win number two on the season, as they defeated the Algoma Thunderbirds 64-59.

The Lakers outscored Algoma in three of the four quarters, with just the fourth quarter going the Thunderbirds way thanks to a late push from the school based out of Sault Ste. Marie.

Nipissing came away with the lead after a low scoring first quarter.

In the second, things picked up offensively and the Lakers added to their lead, outscoring Algoma 16-11 and took a 28-18 lead into halftime.

The teams combined for 49 points in the third quarter alone, with the Lakers once again extending their lead, this time by three, which put them up 54-41 heading into the fourth quarter.

Algoma closed the gap thanks to an 18-10 advantage in the final 10 minutes, but a few key baskets down the stretch by the Lakers put the game away and gave them win number two.

Nipissing was led by their balanced attack with seven players picking up at least five points, including two in double digits.

Claire Abbott led the Lakers with 18 points, Alexe Galipeau-Wilson added 11 and Michaela Branker picked up nine points to pace the Lakers.

Nipissing moved into third in the division thanks to the win in the final game of the first semester for Nipissing.

The Lakers will be back on the court in the new year.