The Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team is close – very close.

Despite coming up short lately against some of the OUA's top teams, the Lakers are clearly headed in the right direction and with some more experience and time to build, they'll be climbing the standings in no time.

Nipissing dropped an 80-57 decision to the Ryerson Rams Saturday night, but the score doesn't show the type of game it was, as both teams held leads, mounted comebacks and played some impressive basketball.

The first 10 minutes of play was exciting and well-played by both teams with the Rams jumping out to an early lead, but the Lakers storming back to grab the advantage.

After the first was wrapped up, Ryerson led 23-22.

In the second, it was more of the same, but the Rams were able to extend their lead and took a 42-33 score into the break.

Down nine heading into the third quarter, Nipissing went to shot-for-shot with a strong Rams program, but still trailed heading into the final quarter.

Down 61-51 after 30 minutes of play, the Lakers pushed, but ran out of gas and the Rams pulled away, finishing things off and winning 80-57.

The Lakers were led by Maeve Therriault who had 21 points, while Heidi Smith added 13 and Marla Corney had 8 in Saturday night's contest.

Nipissing is back in action next weekend when they face Carleton and Ottawa on the road.