REDDING, Calif. - Simpson U men's basketball suffered its first conference loss of the season last night to UC Merced, 68-57.

The Red Hawks ran into a bad shooting night in an important game as they shot 29% from the field. Their defense kept them in the game, only allowing Merced to shoot 34% in the second half.

SU was led in scoring by Anthony Rice, who finished with 19 points followed by JT Branch, who scored 15. 

The Red Hawks remain 2-1 in Cal Pac play and they head to Arizona for one of their toughest tests this year, three-game in three nights where they will face Park University, Embry-Riddle, and Benedictine University in consecutive days.