IRVINE, Calif. - The women's basketball team dropped its first game of the SoCal road trip to Werstcliff 53-57. 

The Warriors drew first blood before a Dyani Del Castillo jumper put Simpson on the board. 

The Warriors jumped out to an early 12-4 lead before a three-pointer by Natalie Brown followed by a layup by Riley Wallen cut the deficit to three points. 

Kayla Morgan put the final points on the board for Simpson to close out the first quarter as they trailed 11-14. 

A layup by Makenzee Moretto on Simpson's opening possession of the second quarter pulled Simpson within one point. 

Simpson trailed 16-21 late in the second quarter before a 5-0 Red Hawks run pulled them out in front. 

A three-pointer by Castillo followed by a highly contested layup by Rachel Gafford drew a foul and allowed Gafford to complete the three-point play with a converted free throw to give Simpson the 22-21 lead as they headed into the half. 

The first points of the second half belonged to Tessa Kinney as she drilled a three-pointer to pull Simpson within three points. 

Simpson stayed within striking distance the entire third quarter before Kayla Morgan and Riley Wallen converted on back-to-back buckets to close out the third quarter and pull Simpson within one, 40-41. 

The Warriors held a commanding five-point lead with less than thirty seconds left in the game before a huge three-pointer by Natalie Brown helped Simpson stay within striking distance. 

However, the Warriors hit both of its free throws to ice the game and make it a two-possession game with only a couple of seconds left. 

With the loss, Simpson has already punched its ticket to playoffs but they are currently in the fifth spot.

Rachel Gafford had a team-high 14 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. 

Natalie Brown had a solid game off the bench as she had nine points on a team-high three three-pointers.

Simpson continues its SoCal road trip against St. Katherine University on Saturday to close out the regular season.