Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 It was a solid start to the season for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team on the road, as they finished the opening weekend with a split.

Thursday, the Lakers topped the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks by 10, 75-65, to kick things off.

Friday night, Nipissing suffered a setback to the Queen's Gaels, falling by a final of 98-84.

In the team's win, Muktar Mohamed led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Noah LaPierre had 15 points, Danny Lukusa added 14 and Taijon Graham had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the team's second double-double of the game.

A strong, consistent effort had Nipissing up 34-26 at halftime and 58-45 after three, before holding on to grab the victory.

In the team's loss on the weekend, they hung around with a strong Gaels team, trailing by eight after one and just two at the half, 41-39.

The Gaels extended the lead to five points after three and sealed the win with a big fourth quarter, pulling away from the Lakers to grab the 14 point win.

Lukusa had a big night with 27 points, while Mohamed scored 20, LaPierre had 18 and Ricardo Neves chipped in with 14 in the contest.

Up next, Nipissing hosts the Carleton Ravens Friday night at the RJ Surtees Athletic Centre and the Ottawa Gee Gees Saturday.