REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball team recorded its first win of the young 2023-24 season this afternoon against Portland Bible College, 56-53. 

Simpson played a solid first half of basketball as they took a commanding 41-29 lead into the half. 

The Red Hawks were led on offense by Parker Martens and Kellen Torrey who registered double-digit points; Martens with 12 and Torrey with 10. 

Sam Shields led the team with five boards to go along with six points. 

However, the Arrows would battle back in the second half as they outscored Simpson 24-15. 

A 13-4 run by the Arrows pulled Portland Bible within three points with three and a half minutes left to play. 

The next three minutes proved brutal for both teams as neither team was able to find a basket. 

Stellar defense by the Red Hawks forced two turnovers that helped preserve a three-point lead.

The last gasp of air by the Arrows was in a last-second three-point shot that was highly contested but fell short. 

Kevin Robello and Sam Shields each finished the game with double-digit points to join Torrey and Martens as the team's leading scorers. 

The two big men in the paint, Jace Mills and Sam Shields combined for 13 rebounds. 

The team's win was a milestone for first-year head coach David Cone. 

This not only marked the first victory of Coach Cone's Red Hawk career but it marked his first collegiate win as a head coach. 

Coach Cone reflects on the win and his first as a Red Hawk, "I am proud of the team. The process has been fun and it's fun to get a win and find some success."

Coach Cone has seen a lot of growth after starting the year against Oregon Tech and Menlo. 

"Our team is finding its identity. There are players that are excelling in specific spots but now it is good to be able to see them gel together."

With four more preseason games left before conference play, Coach Cone will look for continual growth. 

Simpson will look to stay hot as they hit the road to the Bay Area to play against Lincoln University this Tuesday at 7 PM.