REDDING, Calif. - The Red Hawks and Bobcats clashed tonight in the James M. Grant Center in a pivotal matchup against two of the top Cal Pac teams. 

Simpson jumped out to the early 5-0 lead on a layup by Anna Marshall followed by a three-pointer by Nikki Thompson. 

UC Merced took its first lead of the game midway through the first quarter as a mid-range jumper by Thompson tied the game at 11.

The Bobcats went on a 6-0 run to take the 17-11 lead just before the end of the first quarter. But an unbelievable half-court heave by Thompson found the basket as time expired to cut the Bobcats lead, 17-14. 

Back-to-back buckets by Mariah Napoleon followed by a three-pointer by Cerina Nguyen pulled Simpson within one as Thompson gave Simpson the one-point lead on a layup.

A mid-range basket by Napoleon ended the scoring for Simpson in the first half as the Bobcats held the 31-28 lead going into the half. 



Simpson jumped on the scoreboard first in the second half on a jumper by Nguyen. 

But the Bobcats went on an 11-0 run to take the commanding 42-30 lead as they closed out the third quarter outscoring Simpson 13-7. 

Simpson reeled back within five points after two free throws and a layup by Thompson followed by a jumper by Nguyen with just under two minutes in regulation. 

However, UC Merced outscored Simpson 10-3 to close out the game 61-49. 

Thompson notched a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds, one block, and one steal. 

Marshall followed Thompson with 10 points to go along with two rebounds and two steals. 

With the loss, Simpson holds a tie for the third spot in the Cal Pac with Westcliff as they fall 1 GB undefeated UC Merced and La Sierra. 

Simpson looks to bounce back this week Thursday as they take on La Sierra at home at 5:30 pm.

Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.