With the regular season winding down and the Nipissing Lakers women's basketball team still in playoff contention, every game is huge.

There are just four games left on the schedule and the final stretch begins with the Lakers hosting the Queen's Gaels Friday night on home court.

The first game of the weekend didn't go the Lakers way, as they dropped the contest 63-49 to the Gaels.

A strong start for the Lakers saw them grab an early 12-8 lead and in good shape at both ends of the court.

After the first, Nipissing held a one-point advantage, up 18-17 on the Gaels.

In the second, the Gaels battled back to gain the lead with an 11-3 run to begin the quarter.

At the halftime break, the Lakers trailed by 10, down 33-23.

With a deficit to climb back from, Nipissing started the third off slow as the Gaels added to their lead with a quick 9-4 run to make it 42-27 midway through the quarter.

The teams traded baskets to close out the third as the Lakers trailed 53-33 after 30 minutes of play in North Bay.

With time winding down, the Lakers found themselves down 55-39.

They pushed back late, but it wasn't enough, as Nipissing came up short, falling by 14.

Megan McCarter led the Lakers with 22 points, while Taryn Gauthier added 13 in the contest.

Nipissing is back in action Saturday when they host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks.

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