It wasn't an easy road trip to finish up the first half of the season for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team.

The Lakers faced two nationally ranked teams and came up short both Friday and Saturday in Ottawa.

In the first game, the Lakers played tough and hung in there, but fell to the Ottawa Gee Gees by a final of 86-71.

Saturday, the Lakers lost 116-38 to the powerful Carleton Ravens.

Friday night, the Lakers stuck with the talented Gee Gees and only trailed 45-39 at halftime and outscored Ottawa in the second quarter.

The Gee Gees edged the Lakers in scoring in both the third and fourth quarters to hold on to their lead and come away with the win.

Justin Shaver had a big game, posting 27 points, Justin Hill added 14 and Quintin Ashitei added 12 in the contest.

Saturday, the Ravens were too much for the Lakers, controlling the game from start to finish.

They led 59-11 at halftime and cruised to the win with an equally dominant second half.

Ashitei posted 11 points and Hill added seven in the game.

Nipissing is off until the new year when they host the rematch with both teams on home court.