Box Score With just two games left on the schedule, the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball was looking to end the first half of the season on a winning note.

Or two.

The Lakers played host to the Laurentian Voyageurs Friday night, with the teams heading to Sudbury to close out the weekend Saturday.

Nipissing took care of business in the first meeting, dispatching of the Vees 79-61 for their second victory of the campaign.

The Lakers started the game on fire, building up a nice lead early on.

While the Vees fought back, Nipissing posted 23 points and took a five point advantage into the first intermission.

Nipissing extended their lead in a low-scoring second quarter, as the Lakers outscored Laurentian 16-12.

After the opening 20 minutes of play, the Lakers led the Vees 39-30.

In the third, the team traded baskets and combined for 38 points, as the Lakers held on to their nine point lead.

With 30 minutes played, Nipissing was holding on to a 58-49 advatnage.

In the fourth, up nine, the Lakers fended off an early push by the Vees before putting the game away with an impressive finish.

The Lakers outscored Laurentian 21-12 to close things out, winning by 18.

Alvin Icyogere, Darnaz Mabanza and Alex Blackmore all had 20 points for the Lakers, while Ricardo Neves added 12 in the victory.

The Lakers and Vees close out the home-and-home series Saturday night in Sudbury.

Game time is 8pm as both teams wraps up the first half of the season.