REDDING, Calif. - The women's basketball team continues to stay hot as they took down UC Santa Cruz tonight 65-56 on senior night. 

Before the game, Simpson honored its four seniors; Nisha Kang, Natalie Brown, Tessa Kinney, and Nikki Thompson. 

The Banana Slugs jumped out to the early 5-0 lead before back-to-back three-pointers by Zara Dumatol gave Simpson its first lead of the game. 

Following a Banana Slugs bucket, Senior, Tessa Kinney converted on a layup followed by a jump shot from Cerina Nguyen to give Simpson the 10-9 lead. 

Nikki Thompson closed out the first half as she converted on two free throws from the line to give Simpson the 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter. 

Anna Marshall had a big second quarter as she notched seven points as the Red Hawks went on an 8-2 run to end the first half as Nguyen and Marshall picked up four points each to give Simpson the 34-26 lead. 

However, the Banana Slugs did not go quietly as they tied the game at 38 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter and took the six-point lead with just over a minute left before a jumper by Nguyen pulled Simpson back within four. 



A three-pointer by Thompson to open the fourth quarter cut the UC Santa Cruz lead in half as they trailed by three points before the Banana Slugs answered and extended its lead back to eight points. 

However, the Red Hawks went on a 13-0 run to take the five-point lead, 56-51 as Dumatol connected on three three-pointers to anchor the rally. 

Simpson never looked back as they took the 65-56 midweek victory as they outscored UC Santa Cruz 25-10 in the fourth quarter. 

Dumatol had a huge game as she posted a team-high 22 points and six three-pointers to go along with six assists.

Kinney had a big senior night as she posted a double-double with 11 points and a team-high 14 rebounds. 

All five of Simpson's starters picked up double-digit performances; Dumatol (22 points), Kinney (11 points), Marshall (10 points), Nguyen (10 points), and Thompson (10 points).

Simpson looks to grab a share of first place this weekend as they take on UC Merced on Saturday at 2 pm. 
 

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