It was a tough final home game for the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team Saturday night.

Closing out the home portion of the schedule, the Lakers fell short 75-52 to the Algoma Thunderbirds at the Surtees Athletic Centre.

Algoma got the jump on the Lakers, outscoring Nipissing 18-7 to grab an early lead.

They extended their lead in the second quarter, posting another 17, while the Lakers managed 11, but it wasn't enough to cut into the deficit.

At the break, Nipissing found themselves down 35-18.

Despite pushing back in the third quarter, the Lakers deficit grew as Algoma had a huge quarter, scoring 30 points and going ahead 65-33.

Nipissing managed to win the fourth quarter, outscoring the Thunderbirds 19-10, but it wasn't enough as Algoma had built up a big enough cushion.

In the end, the Thunderbirds came away with the 23 point victory.

Megan McCarter led the way with 15 points and Maria Walsh finished with 13 points in tonight's contest.

Nipissing is back in action next weekend at Ontario Tech and at Queens.