After picking up a gritty win last Sunday at home, the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team was back on the court Saturday night.

The Lakers hosted the Laurier Golden Hawks in their only game of the weekend looking to make it two wins in a row and three in their last four games.

After a back and forth battle, the Lakers stepped up late in the game and took control, leading to a 85-73 win.

In the first, Laurier started off well, building an early lead and went ahead by 10 with two minutes to go.

After battling back, the Lakers trail by just three after the opening 10 minutes.

In the second, down just 21-18, the Lakers stormed back, scoring 29 points to take a three-point lead into the half.

Leading 47-44 after 20 minutes, the Lakers allowed the Hawks back in the game as Laurier regained the lead, 56-54, with just under five minutes to go in the third quarter.

A strong push by both teams saw the Lakers up 60-58 after 30 minutes of a very competitive and entertaining game.

In the fourth, with the game very much up for grabs, the Lakes pulled away.

Offensively the Lakers stepped up and defensively they locked things down, outscoring Laurier 25-15 to pull away and come away with the big win.

In the end, a dominant fourth gave them a 12-point victory.

Alex Blackmore had a huge game, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds, Alvin Icyogere added 19, while Jean Rene Brutus Escalona and Nathan Courie each had 16 in the win.

Nipissing is on the road next weekend, heading to Hamilton to face McMaster Marauders and Toronto to take on the York Lions.