REDDING, Calif. - The women's basketball team dropped a non-conference matchup this weekend against GSAC opponent William Jessup University 67-78 to round out the 2023 year. 

The women's basketball team dropped a close game against a tough Warriors team who are currently receiving votes in the latest coaches poll. 

The Warriors got off to a quick start by opening the game on a 6-0 run. 

But the Red Hawks would answer back when Rory Hetrick put Simpson on the board as she converted on a mid-range jumper. 

Rachel Gafford followed Hetrick's bucket up with a layup on Simpson's next possession to cut the early deficit to two points. 

Jessup would extend its largest lead of the first quarter to eight. 

However, a strong 8-3 Red Hawks surge would pull Simpson within one point to end the first quarter. 

During the run, Anna Marshall would drill the team's lone three-pointer in the first quarter and Nikki Thompson would hit two layups for a team-high four points after one-quarter of play. 

Simpson would grab its first lead of the game 16-15 early in the second quarter on Rachel Gafford's jumper.

The Red Hawks and Warriors would exchange buckets as both teams combined for 50 points in the second quarter of play. 

Itzel Torres had an impressive second quarter as she had a team-high eight points while shooting a perfect 4-4 from the floor. 

Hannah Parsons followed close behind with six points as she proved to be lethal from beyond the arc as she went a perfect 2-2 from downtown.

Simpson would go into the half with a three-point lead, 41-38. 

Kayla Morgan would break a 6-0 Warrior run on a layup in the paint to give Simpson its first points of the second half of play. 

Simpson would end the third quarter by draining three consecutive three-pointers. 

Riley Wallen would provide the long-range points off the bench as she hit back-to-back three-pointers followed by Anna Marshall's second long ball of the game. 

The Red Hawks would head into the fourth and final quarter with its largest lead of the night, 56-51.

However, the 13-1 Warriors showed why they are one of GSAC's toughest teams this year. 

Jessup would surge late and outscore the Red Hawks 27-11 to cap off the fourth-quarter comeback 78-67. 

Rory Hetrick, Nikki Thompson, and Hannah Parsons led the way with nine points each while Itzel Torres, Anna Marshall, and Riley Wllen followed close behind with eight points a piece. 

Simpson closes out the 2023 year in a tightly knitted contest that will benefit them when they continue conference play on the road on January 2nd against UC Merced.