REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball team dropped a nail-biter tonight as their comeback fell short against Ben U, 75-77. 
 

?? Final Score ??

Men's Basketball ????

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— Simpson Red Hawks (@SimpsonRedHawks) February 16, 2024
 

Ben U got on the board first before Garrett Streufert collected the first points of the night for Simpson on back-to-back free throws. 

Streufert's free throws cued a 7-0 Simpson run that included five points from Kyle Brennon on a mid-range jumper and a long ball from beyond the arc. 

Ben U tied the game back up at nine but a layup by Parker Martens pulled Simpson back out in front before a Derek Gorden three-pointer helped uneven the score again after an 11-all ball game. 

However, Ben U created some separation midway through the first half as they went up nine points. 

Simpson kept the game in striking distance but a final bucket by Ben U to close out the first half extended its 44-31 lead to 13 points.

Parker Martens had a solid first half with a team-high eight points.

But Benedictine came out of the half on fire as they extended its lead to a game-high 19 points. 

Simpson played catchup for most of the second half as they chipped away from the Ben U lead. 

A Parker Martens three-pointer midway through the second half helped pull Simpson within a single-digit deficit, 53-60. 

With less than five minutes left, Simpson pulled within three points after a layup by Osumanu Nuhu. 



A free throw by Brennon with 10 seconds left in the game pulled Simpson within two points, 75-77.

However, the Ben U forced a last-second turnover to seal the 77-75 road victory. 

Parker Martens had a season's best and a career-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds. 

Garrett Streufert had a big game as well with 14 points to go along with three rebounds. 

Kyle Brennon rounded out the double-digit performances for Simpson with 10 points to go along with six rebounds. 

With the loss, Simpson is still mathematically in the playoff race as they are three games behind La Sierra for the sixth and final playoff spot. 

Simpson has to win out and in return La Sierra needs to lose out. The Red Hawks play its last home game this week on Saturday against Park-Gilbert University at 7:30 PM.