North Bay, ON – The Nipissing Lakers Men's Basketball team lost 82-71 to the Laurentian Voyageurs Wednesday, November 19 at RJS Athletics Centre. 

Laurentian got off to a quick start in the first quarter, jumping out to an 8-2 lead. Nipissing would catch up, thanks to points from Alvin Icyogere and Alex Blackmore. Laurentian would score a 3-pointer at the 2:26 mark, and add another at 0:47 to end the quarter 20-8 in their favour. 

The Lakers would show some fight, working hard to try and cut the deficit down as much as they could. However, Laurentian managed to maintain their lead and add to it off of defensive stops and transition scoring. Laurentian would win the quarter 23-19, and take a 43-27 lead into halftime. Chris-Evrard Malonga would have 7 points in the quarter for Nipissing, a team-high. 

Nipissing managed to cut Laurentian's lead to just 12 in the third quarter. The Lakers then went on an 8-3 to cut the lead to just 4 points. Jeziyah Excell-Johnson, Mateja Vukic, and Alex Blackmore all scored key 3-pointers, helping Nipissing climb out of the hole they were in. Laurentian had an answer, as a 3-pointer made at 1:18 gave the Voyageurs a 5 point lead again. Laurentian would add another later in the quarter, and ended the 3rd leading 57-49. 

The fourth quarter provided one last opportunity for the Lakers to get themselves back in this game. However, it felt that everytime Nipissing made a move, Laurentian would counter with a move of their own that would keep them leading. The Lakers managed to cut the deficit to 6 off a Ryan Heim 3-pointer. The Voyageurs countered, but so did Alex Blackmore, who's layup cut the lead to just 5 once again. The teams traded 3-point shots, keeping the game out of Nipissing's reach. Laurentian would add to their lead and end the game winning 82-71.  

Nipissing's Jeziyah Excell-Johnson scored 15 points and added 8 assists and a steal in the match. Chris-Evrard Malonga scored 15 points on 7/11 shooting from the field, and added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks. Alex Blackmore scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block. Alvin Icyogere scored 10 points and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists.  

The loss moves the Lakers to 2-7 on the season. The Lakers are back in action Friday, November 21 at 8PM when the York Lions pay a visit to RJS Athletics Centre. Tip-off is 8PM. Catch all the action live on OUA.tv. 

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