It was another tough second half that came back to bite the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team, as they dropped their matchup with Lakehead Saturday night.

While they trailed at the half, the Lakers were very much in the game, but a lopsided third quarter and a tough fourth quarter prevented Nipissing from mounting a comeback.

Lakehead would take advantage of their hot shooting late, leading to a 79-53 victory over Nipissing.

The teams went back and forth for much of the first 10 minutes of play, with Lakehead gaining an early advantage, but a late push by the Lakers, including a buzzer-beater by Heidi Smith had Nipissing down just five after one.

The Lakers trailed 20-15 after one quarter of play.

In the second, the Lakers improved their plat at both ends of the court and cut into the lead, outscoring Lakehead 15-13 and took the game into halftime down just three, 33-30.

Unfortunately, Lakehead came out very strong in the third quarter, posting 22 points and turning that three point lead into an 18 point lead after 30 minutes of play.

Down heading into the final quarter, Nipissing tried to make a push, but Lakehead put the game away, putting up another 24 points and extending their lead, eventually winning by 26, 79-53.

Heidi Smith had 12 points, Alexe Galipeau-Wilson had 11, Michaela Branker had 10 and Claire Abbott had nine for the Lakers offensively, in Saturday's contest.

Next up, in their final home game of the regular season, Nipissing faces Laurentian next Friday at 6pm at the RJS Athletic Centre.