A tough start put the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team in the hole and despite an improved effort later in the game, they came up short.

The Lakers dropped tonight's contest to the visiting and nationally ranked Brock Badgers by a final of 62-41.

Brock started off strong, but the Lakers kept pace early on.

After one, the Lakers trailed by just nine.

Through the opening 10 minutes, the Lakers continued to battle, but were on the wrong side of a 31-18 score.

Both teams erupted in the third quarter and put up a combined 44 points, but it was the Badgers who extended their lead.

After 30 minutes of play, Nipissing fell behind 57-36.

Coming out of the highest scoring quarter of the game, the teams posted just a total of 10 points in the final frame.

At that point, Brock had the win in hand and held on for the victory.

Finnley McElwain led the Lakers attack with 12 points, while Meagan McCarter added 8 in tonight's contest.

Nipissing is back in action Saturday night when they host the McMaster Maruaders at 6pm.