LAKELAND, Fla. - Despite a 20-point output by reserve center Tamara Novic, Lake Superior State women's basketball fell to Livingstone 68-65 in a tightly contested opening-round game of the Florida Southern/Terrace Hotel Holiday Classic on Thursday afternoon.

The Lakers (2-7) opened the game with hot shooting, including hitting 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) of shots from the field and 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from three-point range. The lights-out shooting helped build a 25-16 advantage after the first quarter.

Novic's nine points in the first half helped put the Lakers up 37-27 at halftime. The sophomore center from Belgrade, Serbia scored 20 points in 22 minutes of play.

In the third quarter, however, momentum shifted and the Blue Bears (4-3) came to life, hitting 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from beyond the arc and captured a 54-50 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lakers fought back and eventually held a lead of 63-60 that soon vanished after a game-tying three by Amber Curtis.

With five seconds remaining and the score tied, the Lakers gave Zena Lovette a chance at the line to capture the victory. Lovette hit the front end but failed to convert the second free throw giving the Lakers a last second effort to attempt a game-winning shot.

Lovette stole the ball on the ensuing possession and iced the game with a pair of clutch free throws.

Curtis had a game-high 21 points and six for the Blue Bears, while Lovette chipped in 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds.

Megan Manninen had 11 points and Mackenzie Edwards added 10 to round out Lakers to reach double digits in scoring.

The Lakers will face tournament host Florida Southern on Friday at 4 p.m.