NORTH BAY, Ont. – A strong second half wasn't enough for the Ontario Tech men's basketball team on Friday night, as the Ridgebacks fell 71–68 to the Nipissing Lakers at the R.J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre.

Ontario Tech trailed by as many as 19 in the third quarter but stormed back with their best stretch of the night, outscoring Nipissing 23–15 in the fourth to make it a one-possession game in the final minute. Despite a pair of late looks from beyond the arc, the Ridgebacks couldn't complete the comeback.

Caleb Kassa led Ontario Tech with a game-high 27 points, shooting 11-for-24 from the field while adding seven rebounds and two steals. TJ Richards provided a major lift with 23 points, including five three-pointers, while Johan Germain posted six assists. Keon Baker grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.

Nipissing was paced by Jeziyah Excell-Johnson's 17 points and Alexander Blackmore's 12, while Alvin Icyogere added 17 points and five assists.

Ontario Tech is back on the road tomorrow when they visit the Laurentian Voyageurs.