MESA, Ari. - The men's basketball team ended its three-game skid in conference play when they defeated Benedictine 82-71 to gain ground in the Cal Pac playoff race. 
 

?? Final Score ??

Men's Basketball ????

?? Benedictine-Mesa 

82-71 

Let's Go Red Hawks!!!?????? pic.twitter.com/SRUk85hWZT
— Simpson Red Hawks (@SimpsonRedHawks) January 14, 2024
 

Osumanu Nuhu would continue to stay hot on the road trip as he put the first points of the night on the board for Simpson with a layup in the paint. 

Back-to-back three-pointers by Drey Ubas and Akin Branco would give Simpson the early 8-7 lead. 

The Red Hawks would create some separation and grow its largest lead of the half to 11 points after Parker Martens drilled a mid-range jump shot. 

Ben U would chip away but Martens would put an exclamation to end the first half when he would hit a three-pointer to pad Simpson's lead to eight as they headed into the half. 

Simpson would have a dominant first half of play as they shot 56% from the floor and an astounding 87.5% from beyond the arc as a team by shooting 7-8 in three-balls. 

Parker Martens would have a big first half as he had a team-high 15 points to go along with three rebounds and assists. 

Going into the second half, Simpson would pad its lead to double digits on the first possession when Osumanu Nuhu hit a layup in the paint. 

Simpson would seem to do no wrong as buckets by Akin Branco, Kevin Robello, Sam Shields, and Drey Ubas would help swell Simpson's lead to its largest of the night at 15 points with just over eight minutes to play. 

A layup by Branco and a couple of free throws by Ubas would close out the night's victory in the desert for the Red Hawks, 82-71. 

The Red Hawks were on fire as they shot 55.4% from the floor and 70.6% from beyond the arc as a team for the game. 

They would put together four players who would score double-digit points. 

Akin Branco led the way with 20 points to go along with five rebounds while shooting 7-11 from the floor. 

Drey Ubas would follow close behind with 18 points and a team-high four three-pointers. 

Martens would have a quiet second half but finished third on the team with 15 points. 

Osumanu Nuhu would have another nice game as he posted 10 points with a team-high seven rebounds. 

With the win, Simpson now sits 4.5 GB UAV for the top spot as they currently are tied in fifth place with Ben U and Westcliff. 

The Red Hawks will return home this Thursday to take on St. Katherine at 7:30 PM.