There are no easy games in the OUA, but there are games circled on teams' calendars that they know will be a real battle.

Saturday night, against one of the top five teams in the league, the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team knew they would need to be at their best and catch some bounces as well.

In the end, their effort wasn't enough, as they fell 89-50 in a lopsided decision to the Ryerson Rams.

The Lakers loss comes a night after a setback at the hands of the Toronto Varsity Blues, who also flexed their muscles against the improving Lakers.

It was the first half that killed Nipissing Saturday night, as they trailed 25-8 after the first quarter and 50-17 at half-time, as the Rams put on pressure, used their speed and seemed to pick up points every time they made a trip down the court.

In the second, the Lakers definitely picked up their game and with the Rams in charge, Nipissing made a charge to get back in the game.

In the third quarter, the Lakres put up a game-high 17 points, but the Rams kept pace and extended their lead by three points and took a 70-34 lead into the fourth.

It was a similar story in the fourth, as the Lakers put up 16 points, but the Rams posted 19 and cruised to the win.

The Lakers have now dropped five in a row and continue to battle injuries, which isn't making the climb any easier for the young team.

Jamie Soffer had another strong game, posting 18 points, while Claire Abbott put up 18 as well and Heidi Smith posted 7 points for Nipissing.

The Lakers hit the road next weekend and head to face the Western Mustangs and Windsor Lancers, which begins a road trip that last most of February and will span a total of five games.