NORTH BAY, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks battled back from an early 17-point deficit but couldn't sustain their comeback, falling 92-71 to Nipissing in Friday night's home opener for the Lakers.
Laurier cut the deficit to five by halftime and pulled within three late in the third quarter, but Nipissing closed the quarter strong before taking control in the fourth.
Turnovers proved costly for the Golden Hawks, who committed 15 compared to just two by the Lakers, giving the hosts a 17-0 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Lakers wasted little time energizing their home crowd, opening with an 8-0 run in the first 80 seconds of basketball.
Joshua Loblaw put Laurier on the board with a corner three off a pass from Voorpool, but Nipissing found opportunities from beyond the arc, extending its lead to 18-6 and forcing an early Laurier timeout.
Abdalla helped the Golden Hawks find some rhythm late in the opening quarter, converting two free throws before connecting from three-point range. He then found
Emanuel Liyaw for a contested layup to close the period with Laurier trailing 27-15.
Nipissing stretched its lead to 34-17 early in the second, but the Golden Hawks responded with their strongest stretch of the night.
Voorpool provided a defensive spark by drawing a charge, and consecutive three-pointers from Abdalla and Voorpool brought Laurier within 11.
Voorpool then worked his way through the defence and found Fisher underneath for a layup before Liyaw knocked down a three to make it 34-28.
Liyaw continued to provide valuable minutes off the bench, adding a putback layup as Laurier chipped away at the lead.
Late baskets from Loblaw and Fisher helped the Golden Hawks finish the half trailing 44-39.
Laurier outscored Nipissing 24-17 in the second quarter, shooting 10-for-15 from the field. Abdalla and Liyaw combined for 20 first-half points, while Voorpool contributed seven rebounds and three assists.
The Golden Hawks remained within striking distance after the break. Fisher finished through contact and converted the free throw, while Abdalla added two free throws and a layup. Voorpool followed with a basket inside to bring Laurier within three at 51-48.
Nipissing answered through Isaac Krueger and Mateja Vukic, but Laurier continued to push. Voorpool connected from beyond the arc and added another driving finish, while a three-pointer from
Ryan Rudnick off a pass from
Matei Vucenovic cut the Lakers' advantage to 60-57 late in the quarter.
The hosts responded with seven unanswered points to close the third, with Ben Fofana providing the scoring as Nipissing carried a 67-57 lead into the final quarter.
The Lakers maintained that momentum in the fourth, stretching the lead and forcing another Laurier timeout. Voorpool attacked the basket out of the break, while Loblaw added a layup before finding Abdalla for a corner three. Fisher also continued to compete on the offensive glass, converting another putback.
Laurier's efforts were not enough to close the gap, as Krueger helped Nipissing pull away down the stretch with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting, six rebounds and four assists. Fofana added 18 points and six assists off the bench, while Christian Hager contributed 11 points.
Abdalla led Laurier with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while adding four rebounds and three assists.
Voorpool recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, along with three assists.
Fisher contributed 12 points on efficient 5-for-7 shooting and collected seven rebounds, five of them on the offensive glass.
Up Next:
The Golden Hawks (1-2) finish their northern Ontario road trip in Sudbury on Halloween night against the Laurentian Voyageurs (1-2).
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., streaming live for subscribers on OUA.tv
