SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The men's basketball squad concluded its road trip this afternoon as they took on UC Santa Cruz. 

Jace Mills picked up the first points of the game followed by a three-pointer by Derek Gorden and a layup up by Timothy Parker to take the early 7-5 lead. 

The Banana Slugs led by eight points with just over 11 minutes left in the first half as Simpson scored eight straight points to tie the game at 22 as Trey Conrad and Mills hit back-to-back three-pointers. 

Simpson regained the lead on a tip-in by Drey Ubas followed by another three-pointer from Conrad as they took the 34-30 lead. 

A jump shot by DaMari Tate to tie the game late in the first half saw the Red Hawks go into the half trailing by four, 42-38. 

A jumper by Ubas to begin the second half pulled Simpson within two. However, the Banana Slugs grew its largest lead of the game to 23 points midway through the second half before Jack Jillson drilled back-to-back three-pointers. 

Simpson could not overcome the second-half deficit as they fell 83-66 to conclude its two-game road trip. 

Mills had a big night as he posted a team-high 22 points and eight rebounds as he shot 9-13 from the floor. 

Conrad had another huge game off the bench as he posted 16 points as he converted on 4-6 from beyond the arc. 

Simpson looks to bounce back as they resume conference play this week as they hit the road to SoCal to take on Westcliff on Thursday at 5:30 pm. 
 

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