Nipissing Lakers open Maritime tour with 76-68 win over Axemen

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The visiting Nipissing Lakers opened their three game Maritime tour on a positive note with a 76-68 win over the host Acadia Axemen.

On the other hand, the Axemen closed out a somewhat successful six game – two tournament exhibition schedule with a home exhibition loss that soured the positive two weeks of pre-season play.

While neither team shot the lights out, the Axemen concluded the game with 31% from the floor and 21% from the three-point arc. In addition to the below average shooting accuracy, only eight points came from the bench compared to Nipissing's 36.

A low scoring first quarter gave fans a taste of what would come as the Axemen held on to a 15-14 first quarter lead.

The second quarter posted less points, with the Axemen netting only 18% of their shots and 16.7% from the three-point line.

Trailing 30-27 after one half of play, the Axemen continued to fall behind, losing the third quarter 29-22. Off the bench, Jerron Rhodes and Marcus Lewis out-scored the starting lineup with 16 points each for the Lakers.

Starters Justin Shaver , Addy Ogunye and Ismael Kaba had 12, 10 and 10 points respectively with Shaver and Lewis leading on the boards with 11 and 13.

Fifth year senior forward Eric Nissen delivered for the Axemen with 29 points and 12 rebounds and an astounding eight blocks. Senior Rhys Larry added 10 rebounds and six points. Mitch Tempro pulled down nine rebounds and added 11 points to the mix.

Acadia did out-rebound the Lakers 56-44 but fell short in turnovers and field goal percentage from the paint and the 3-point arc.

The Axemen will have a bit more than two weeks off before their AUS regular season opener scheduled for Saturday, November 4 against visiting Memorial starting at 8:00 p.m.

The Nipissing Lakers will travel to Halifax to take on the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday followed by their third and final game against Dalhousie on Sunday. The Lakers kick off their OUA regular season at home on Friday, November 3 versus Laurier Golden Hawks.