REDDING, Calif. – Simpson Women's Basketball dropped their first matchup of the season with conference foe UC Merced Thursday night. The Bobcats caught fire in the first quarter and took a 14 point lead that SU was unable to come back from.
Precious Jackson led the Red Hawks offensively with 14 points and five rebounds off the bench. Alex Cooper, Jackson's partner in the front court for most of the game, added 10 points of her own to go along with five rebounds.
Natalie Campos came off the bench and hit two timely threes in the second half when SU began to make things close. The Red Hawks were able to cut the Bobcat lead to two points multiple times in the second half but were unable to snatch control of the game.
Ellie Hamel also added a spark off the SU bench that helped the Red Hawks cut into the Bobcat's lead. Hamel drilled a three and got a fast break layup in the fourth when SU was on the brink of taking the lead.
The Red Hawks will travel to Angwin on Saturday to take on the Pioneers at 6:30 PM. SU will look to advance to 2-3 in conference against PUC while the Pioneers will be looking for their first conference win.