With two games left in the first half of the season, the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team was looking to end on a high note and finish 2024 in style.

The Lakers welcomed the Waterloo Warriors to town Friday night in their lone game of the weekend.

A late push wasn't enough for Nipissing, as they dropped the contest to Waterloo by a final of 61-50.

In the opening quarter, Waterloo scored early and held a lead throughout the first quarter, finishing things off leading the Lakers 20-9.

The Lakers played a much better second frame, getting their offence going, the Warriors matched that intensity and add to their lead.

Despite Nipissing's 17 points, Waterloo added 21 more of their own, going up 41-26 after 20 minutes and heading into the halftime break.

In the third quarter, the lowest scoring quarter of the first three, Waterloo once again extended their lead by outscoring Nipissing 11-6.

The five-point advantage gave the Warriors a 52-32 cushion after three.

Nipissing put up a huge fourth and grabbed control of the game late, but it wasn't enough.

They outscored Waterloo 18-9, but couldn't close the gap enough, falling by 11.

Megan McCarter led the Lakers with 17 points in the game.

The Lakers will wrap up the first half of the season at home Wednesday as they host the Laurentian Voyageurs.

Game time is set for 6pm at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.