SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The women's basketball team took on DIII opponent UC Santa Cruz tonight in a non-conference game. 

The Banana slugs got on the board first before Simpson answered back with a layup by Tessa Kinney. 

A three-pointer by Anna Marshall gave Simpson its first lead of the night and a three-pointer by Kinney to end the first quarter pulled the Red Hawks within two as they faced a 16-14 deficit. 

Kinney continued to stay hot as she scored the Red Hawk's first five points of the second quarter on a three-pointer followed by a layup to pull Simpson within one. 

A jump shot by Mariah Napoleon gave Simpson the 21-20 lead before an insurance bucket by Zara Duymatol extended the Red Hawk's lead to three. 

The Red Hawks and Banana Slugs went back and forth as a bucket by Dumatol to close out the first half and pulled Simpson within one as they went into the half down 30-29. 

However, the Banana Slugs dominated the third quarter as they doubled up the Red Hawks by outscoring Simpson 18-9 to take the 48-38 lead. 

A layup by Kinney to open the fourth quarter looked to fuel the Red Hawk's comeback. 

Simpson opened the fourth on an 11-2 run as Kinney accounted for eight points followed by a three-pointer by Dumatol to cap off the run and pull Simpson back within one. 

Marshall converted on two late free throws to tie the game at 53 with a minute and a half left.

But UC Santa Cruz denied the Red Hawks comeback as they finished the game on a 6-0 run to take the game 59-53. 

Tessa Kinney had herself a night as she registered a team-high 22 points to go along with three rebounds and one block while shooting a stellar 71.4% from the floor. 

Anna Marshall followed close behind with 15 points to go along with two assists and five steals. 

With the loss, Simpson concludes its preseason play going 6-6 under first-year Head Coach Anthony Taylor. 

The women's squad looks to be back in action on January 16th as they hit the road to open conference play against Pacific Union College.