What a finish.

The Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team came up with a huge victory Friday night at home, edging the Guelph Gryphons 82-80 thanks to heroics at both ends of the court.

The Lakers couldn't have asked for a better start to the game, as they came out on fire.

Nipissing posted a monster 33 points and finished the opening frame up 15 points on Guelph, 33-18.

Guelph responded in the second with a much better effort and cut into the Lakers lead, outscoring them 16-9 to send the teams to halftime.

At the break, Nipissing held a 42-34 advantage over the Gryphons.

Guelph continued to their hot play, outscoring the Lakers 12-4 early in the third quarter, but the Lakers fought back.

After three quarters of play, the Lakers and Gryphons were all even 59-59 thanks to a big frame by the Gryphons, who outscored Nipissing 25-17.

With the game tied, the fourth was truly a back and forth affair, with the Gryphons up by two with under three minutes to go, outscoring Nipissing 16-14 in the quarter.

A huge pushback gave the Lakers back the lead, as they outscored Guelph 9-3 in the final few minutes.

Girece Kazumba hit a three-pointer with time winding down, then the Lakers defence held as they pulled out the 82-80 win over the Gryphons in an excellent game Friday night.

The Lakers had four players in double digits - Quintin Ashitei 31, Girece Kazumba 13 Shandon Ashitei 13 and Justin Shaver 12 - in tonight's win.

Nipissing faces Algoma tomorrow night in their final home game of the regular season.