Unfortunately in sports, a great effort doesn't always end up in the result you want or deserve.

That was the exact situation Friday night at the RJS Athletic Centre, as the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team hung tough with one of the top teams in the OUA, but fell short by three, losing 76-73 to the Ottawa Gee Gees.

At no point was either team in total control of the game, but it was Ottawa who jumped out an early lead.

They led 23-16 after the first, but the second was all Nipissing.

The Lakers posted 27 points and thanks to a huge 10 minutes, they grabbed a 43-41 lead at the halftime break.

Ottawa regained the lead in the third, outscoring Nipissing by just three in a low-scoring affair.

The Gee Gees took a 52-51 advantage into the fourth and despite a frantic push from the Lakers and a really tight finish, the Lakers fell just short.

Ottawa ended up finishing up with a 24-22 edge in the fourth quarter and grabbed the three point – 76-73 – victory over the Lakers.

Leading the way offensively for the Lakers was Quintin Ashitei with 18 points, Marcus Lewis ad 15 and Justin Hill added 14 in the contest.

Nipissing will host Carleton Saturday night at 8pm.