REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game against the UC Merced Bobcats, 54-71.
Drey Ubas owned the first points of the night for the Red Hawks as he hit a mid-range jumper on Simpson's opening possession of the game.
Simpson jumped out to an early 7-2 lead after an
Osumanu Nuhu layup and a three-pointer by
Parker Martens.
The Bobcats and Red Hawks battled back-and-forth as they exchanged buckets which resulted in 10 different lead changes in the first half.
A highly contested layup by
Kyle Brennon that drew a foul with eight minutes left in the half put the Red Hawks up 23-22 after Brennon converted his free throw.
Simpson created separation as they went up 28-22 after two free throws by
Garrett Streufert and another three-ball from Martens.
However, the Bobcats roared back and tied the game at 30.
Trey Conrad put the final points on the board before the half with a jump shot that put Simpson up 32-30 as they headed into the half.
Derek Gorden had a solid first half with a team-high eight points.
Simpson extended its lead as they came out of the half with a three-pointer by
Kyle Brennon.
But a 7-0 UC Merced run to begin the half put the Bobcats up 41-35.
The Red Hawks scratched and clawed its way back into the game when Conrad hit a three-pointer to put Simpson back within one point, 46-47.
However, the Bobcats exploded for a 24-8 run to win the game in convincing fashion, 71-54.
Derek Gorden had a team-high 11 points to go along with two rebounds.
Kyle Brennon and
Parker Martens each recorded 10 points each for a combined five rebounds.
With the loss, Simpson remains on the outside looking in as they hold the seventh spot.
The Red Hawks look to bounce back on Thursday when they take on UAV at 7:30 PM.
