The Nipissing Lakers women's basketball, who are banged up and less than 100 per cent, battled a tough Toronto Varsity Blues team, but were unable to really gain their footing Friday night.

The Lakers got off to a slow start, trailed by as much as nine at point and while they closed the gap, were never really able to take control of the game.

After the first, the Lakers trailed 19-12 to the Blues.

In the second quarter, the team came out and shot much better and included a few stops on defence to close the gap.

They cut the deficit to just two points – 21-19 – after scoring seven of the first nine points scored in the frame.

Nipissing finished the half down just five points and put themselves in a position to make a second half run.

Toronto had other plans, however, as they put up 31 points and grabbed control of the game finishing the third with a 20 point lead, 64-44.

Nipissing did manage to win the fourth quarter, outscoring the Varsity Blues 19-16, but it was too little, too late.

Toronto came away with a 80-63 decision.

Entering the game, the Lakers were without key players and lost Ali Czich early on to a broken nose, making it even tough for the Lakers to compete with a strong team.

Claire Abbott led the Nipissing attack with 21 points, Jamie Soffer added 14 and Alexe Galipeau-Wilson put up 10 points tonight.

The Lakers host the Ryerson Rams Saturday night at home. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.