Getting back in the win column wasn't going to be easy for the Nipissing Lakers men's basketball team as they returned home.

The Lakers hosted the Carleton Ravens Friday night, ahead of facing the Ottawa Gee Gees Saturday.

Leading for most of the game, the Lakers couldn't close things out, falling 82-77 to the Ravens in the first game of the weekend.

A tightly contested start to the game saw the Lakers down just a point, 11-10, midway through the quarter.

Nipissing stormed back to take a 15-13 later in the quarter and finished up four points, 20-16, after one.

In the second, the Lakers extended their lead thanks to outscoring Carleton 21-18 in the quarter as they took a 41-34 advantage into the halftime break.

In the third, Nipissing managed to stay just ahead of the Ravens, but the lead did shrink as time ticked down.

After 30 minutes, the game had flipped and the Lakers found themselves trailing.

Down two after three quarters, the Lakers were very much alive, but now had to mount a comeback.

In a high-scoring fourth quarter, the Lakers were unable to climb back into the lead and Carleton pulled away, escaping with a five-point win, 82-77.

Darnaz Mabanza led the Lakers attack with 20 points, Alex Blackmore added 18 and Alvin Icyogere 15 in the contest.

Nipissing is back in action Saturday when they close out their weekend, facing the Ottawa Gee Gees.

Tip-off is set for 6pm at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.