A slow start and a strong finish would summarize the weekend for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team.

The Lakers finished with a weekend split after dropping Friday's contest to the Laurier Golden Hawks 83-56, before defeating the Waterloo Warriors 70-68 Saturday to wrap up the road trip.

In the first game, the Lakers trailed 18-7 after one quarter and 39-17 at halftime.

They fought back in the second half, posting 39 points of their own, but Laurier did enough to keep their lead out of reach of the Lakers.

They held on to claim the win.

Justin Shaver posted 16 points, while Shandon Ashitei added 11 in the contest.

Saturday, a big fourth quarter for the Lakers was the difference, as they stormed back to pick up the two-point win.

After trailing 15-12 after one and 28-24 at halftime, the Lakers stepped up in the second half.

They outscored Waterloo 46-40, including 28-23 in the final 10 minutes to steal the victory from the Warriors.

Shaver, Danny Lukusa and Quintin Ashitei all scored 16 points and Justin Hill chipped in with 15 in the victory.

Shaver and Lukusa also record 10 rebounds each, finishing with a pair of double-doubles.

Nipissing is back on their homecourt this weekend, welcoming the Brock Badgers to two Friday and the McMaster Maraurders Saturday.

Both games are scheduled for 8pm at the Surtees Athletic Centre.