Box Score After dropping a high-scoring affair Friday night, the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team was hoping to finish the weekend strong.

Hosting the York Lions, who come to town after a comeback win Friday in Sudbury against Laurentian, the Lakers will need to play a clean game to come away with a victory.

In a heated contest that saw a lot of physical play, it was the Lions who came out on top, defeating the Lakers 88-72.

In the first quarter, it was a quick start for both teams, as they came out firing and clicking offensively.

Through the first half of the quarter, the Lakers trailed by just two, 15-13, but the Lions did manage to extend their lead late.

After one, the Lions were out in front of the Lakers 23-17.

York kept the Lakers at a distance, continuing to match baskets and extending their lead 34-24 with 4:57 remaining in the half.

With under four minutes to go, the Lakers trailed the Lions by 11,

At halftime, the Lakers finished down 50-31.

Nipissing began to mount a comeback and closed the gap as they outscored the Lions 20-13 in the third, climbing within 12, 63-51.

They continued to push early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to single digits.

York pulled away as the time wound, claiming the victory by 16.

Darnaz Mabanza had a big game, posting 30 points, while Alvin Icyogere added 14 in the contest for the Lakers.

Nipissing hits the road for a pair of games next weekend, heading to Toronto to face the TMU Bold and Toronto Varsity Blues.