PORTLAND, Ore. - The women's basketball team concluded play in Oregon this afternoon as they fell to Warner Pacific in their second meeting of the year.

The Knights jumped out to a 5-0 lead before a layup by Destiny Nichols got Simpson on the board. 

Warner Pacific held control in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead. However, the Red Hawks chipped away and pulled within two at the end of the first quarter on a 6-3 run. 

During the run, Anna Marshall notched a bucket, Monet Dunham sank a free throw, and Nichols converted on a tough basket in the paint to complete the three-point play after drawing a foul. 

Marshall converted on both free throws to begin the second quarter as a layup by Cerina Nguyen pulled Simpson within one, 22-21.

But the Knights built their lead back to nine points inside of one minute. Andrea Perez created a huge turnover and a steal as she posted the final points of the first half with a layup to pull Simpson within seven, 40-33.

Warner Pacific came out of the half scoring 11 straight points, which included three straight three-pointers and a jump shot before Nguyen stopped the bleeding with a mid-range jumper. 

The Knights' hot shooting in the third quarter helped them grab a 60-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

But Warner Pacific kept rolling as they built its largest lead of the game to 20 points with just over six minutes left in regulation. 

A three-pointer by Perez helped spark a late rally as Simpson reeled off five straight points on a layup by Marshall and a three-pointer by Haily Garcia. 

However, the Knights held off the Red Hawks as they split the season series, with the home team ending on top in both matches. 

The Red Hawks had strong play from their starting unit as four out of the five starters notched double-digit points. 

Nichols posted a team-high 20 points, followed by 18 points by Nguyen, 15 by Marshall, and 12 by Perez. 

Simpson has a quick turnaround as they hit the road Monday to play an exhibition game against Sacramento State at 6:30 pm.
 

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