REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball squad kicked off the winter break by taking on Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference member, Mount Vernon Nazarene University this afternoon in a non-conference matchup.
Simpson is coming off a bye week as they most recently took down Stanton University on Dec. 7th, 89-54.
The first points of the night belonged to a three-pointer by
Drey Ubas as the Red Hawks doubled up the Cougars for an early 10-5 lead behind buckets by
Derek Gorden,
Jace Mills, and
Mack Tarver Jr.
The Cougars nipped at the Red Hawk's heels as Simpson fended off the Cougars for much of the first half until Mount Vernon Nazarene took its first lead of the game with eight and a half minutes left.
But Simpson answered back on a layup by
DaMari Tate and a layup by Tarver Gave Simpson back the 23-21 advantage.
The Cougars exploded for a 16-0 run to take the commanding 37-23 lead thanks to three big three-pointers.
Simpson ended the half strong as they outscored the Cougars 10-5 on three-pointers by Trey Corad and Tate and buckets by Gorden and
Osumanu Nuhu to go into the half down 45-35.
Nuhu had a strong first half in the paint as he picked up a team-high seven points as he went 5-6 from the line.
A layup by Ubas cued a 12-4 second-half run that pulled Simpson within seven points five minutes into the second half.
Timothy Parker and Ubas highlighted the Red Hawk's hot streak as they combined for all 12 points with Parker owning seven out of the 12 points.
The last gasp of air came from back-to-back three-pointers from Ubas to keep Simpson in the game.
But this proved to be the last hurrah for Simpson as the Cougars went on to build its lead to a game-high 24 points as they went on to win 101-79.
Timothy Parker had a team-high 17 points as he shot 72.7% from the floor.
Drey Ubas followed close behind with 14 points as he had a team-high three three-pointers.
Simpson looks to bounce back after the New Year rolls in as they take on Lincoln University on January 4th in Oakland, CA.
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