While they won't use injuries, illness and a few other issues as an excuse, the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team is truly fighting adversity.

The lack of a completely full lineup bit them a little bit against the Waterloo Warriors, as Waterloo used a big second half to escape North Bay with a slight 64-58 victory over Nipissing.

The team has been banged up for a number of games and while they continue to battle, they aren't 100 per cent healthy in anyway. And to make matters worse, one of their top players, Rachel Jaworowicz went down with an injury Saturday night.

In the first quarter, the Lakers came out strong. They were able to run the court well, their shot pretty well and their zone defence stood tall against Waterloo, who was riding high after a win Friday night.

Nipissing trailed 13-6, but closed the gap to 13-11, however, that was as close as they would get – the two point separation – as they finished the opening 10 minutes down 19-17.

Offensively, Nipissing stayed consistent, posting another 17 points, but in the second quarter, it was the defence that stepped up.

In their own end, the Lakers limited the Warriors to just nine points and took a 34-28 lead into half-time.

The third quarter was almost the exact opposite of the second, as Nipissing went cold offensively, while the Warriors took over the game scoring 17 points and took the lead.

After three, the Warriors led 45-42 and the game remained up for grabs heading into the final period of play.

With the score48-45, Waterloo went on a run, extending their three point lead to an 11 point lead and from there, they wouldn't look back.

Nipissing did close the gap to five points late and four points with 12 seconds to go, but it was too little too late, as the Warriors came away with the victory.

Claire Abbott led the Lakers with 23 points, while Michaela Branker chipped in with 11 and Maeve Theriault added 8 points.

The Lakers will look to bounce back from two tough losses when they host two more games next weekend, welcoming Toronto and Ryerson to North Bay for games Friday and Saturday night.