REDDING, Calif. - The Red Hawks found themselves trailing 74-55 with 6:39 to go before cutting the lead to six with 4:17 to go. A 13-0 run that quickly got the Simpson right back into the game put the Red Hawks in striking range in the late minutes of the contest before ultimately falling to UC Santa Cruz, 81-76.

"That's the funny thing about being a coach. I was ticked beyond belief about our 3-point loss to La Sierra because of our effort yet tonight in a 5-point loss, I couldn't be prouder of my kids for not giving up and digging their way out of a 19-point hole with 6 minutes to go with a shot to tie with 12 seconds left, Todd Franklin says, " We keep knocking on the door on these NCAA games and eventually wanted was going and are going to get one. We lose to Humboldt by 10 and Chico by 7, and Santa Cruz by 5, we're making headway, and we are getting better."

Santa Cruz lead by double digits nearly the entire second half before the Red Hawks came surging back to cut the lead to single digits. Simpson had an opportunity to tie the game with a three at the end of regulation but the shot just fell off the iron.

Four Red Hawks finished above 15 points in scoring led by Anthony Spencer with 18 to go along with a pair of assists. Aaron Berry recorded 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Simpson finished +4 in the assist to turnover ratio, only coughing up the rock three times in the second half.

Simpson will enter a 4 game conference road trip beginning with Embry-Riddle on Thursday tipping off at 6:30 PST.

Thursday and Saturday's games can be listened to on the radio at KCNR 1460 am or online at kcnr1460.com.