REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball squad returned home from its Oregon road trip as they took on Southern Oregon in its home opener tonight. 

Drey Ubas owned the first points of the night as he drilled a three-pointer to give Simpson the early lead. 

But the Raiders controlled the first half as they took the 7-5 lead and never relinquished it to Simpson. 

The Raiders built a nine-point lead at the end of the first half as they led 35-26. 

However, Simpson chipped away and closed the deficit as Ubas nailed his second three-pointer of the game to make it a 6-point SOU lead. 

A mid-range jumper by Sam Shields pulled Simpson within four but the Raiders countered with a layup. 

A huge steal and score right as the half expired by Timothy Parker pulled Simpson within four points, 37-33. 



Ubas and Derek Gorden led the Red Hawks with eight points each and combined for a perfect 4-4 from the line. 

The Raiders built its largest lead of the night midway through the second half as they took a 62-52 lead. 

But the Red Hawks fought back as they went on a 10-3 run to pull within three points. 

Parker fueled the Red Hawk's comeback as he scored six points including a momentum-swinging dunk. 

Mack Tarver Jr. converted on both of his free throws while Jace Mills capped off the run with two free throws of his own to pull Simpson within three. 

Simpson continued to nip at the Raiders heels as they pulled within two points with just under three minutes left in the second half after Parker converted on both of his free throws. 

But the Raiders prevailed as they escaped the James M. Grant Center with an 81-72 victory. 

Timothy Parker had himself a night as he had a team-high 22 points as he shot 62% from the floor. 

Drey Ubas followed close behind as he notched 14 points to go along with a team-high four three-pointers. 

Simpson looks to bounce back this week on Saturday as they take on Lincoln University at 2 pm.