Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team hung in there on the weekend, but came up short in a pair of road losses to begin the year.

In the season opener on Thursday, the Lakers dropped a close 75-59 decision to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in Oshawa and on Friday, Nipissing fell to the Queen's Gaels by a final of 81-41.

A slow start hurt the Lakers on Thursday as they trailed 31-13 after the first quarter and 41-24 at halftime.

They fought back late in the game, outscoring the Ridgebacks 35-34 in the second half, but the deficit was too big to come back from as they came up short at the final whistle.

Krystal Osburn led the Lakers attack with 16 points, Kylea Galipeau-Wilson had a double-double, scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds and Nicole Budd added nine points in the contest.

In the second contest of the weekend, Nipissing wasn't able to get much going in the way of offence, as they were held to 24 points in the opening half and just 17 in the second half, as the Gaels controlled most of the play.

Natalie Martinez had 13 points, while Nicole Budd posted 10 to lead the way for the Lakers.

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