MERCED, Calif. - The women's basketball team took part in the first semifinal game of the 2024-25 Cal Pac Conference Tournament against La Sierra this afternoon. 

The first points for Simpson belonged to All-conference Honorable Mention, Zara Dumatol as she drilled a three-pointer off an offensive rebound to tie the game. 

First-team selection, Anna Marshall tied the game at 12 on a layup followed by another three-pointer by Dumatol to pull Simpson within two points late in the first quarter. 

Two-time All-Conference selection, Nikki Thompson made her presence felt as she connected from beyond the arc to pull Simpson within four points as they trailed La Sierra 22-18 at the end of the first quarter. 

Dumatol continued to stay hot as she drilled back-to-back three-pointers to begin the second quarter to tie the game at 24. 

Thompson gave Simpson the 28-26 lead as she converted on two free throws from the line to cap off a 13-4 Red Hawks run. 

The fifth three-pointer of the game for Dumatol closed out the scoring in the first half for Simpson as they trailed 38-31. 

The Golden Eagles fended off the Simpson comeback as they outscored the Red Hawks 19-14 in the third quarter as Thompson posted a team-high six points and one block. 

La Sierra led by as much as 16 points in the fourth quarter before the Red Hawks mounted a late rally as they pulled within five on an 11-0 run. 

Second-team selection, Cerina Nguyen posted four points, Thompson notched five points, and Dumatol added two points. 

However, the Golden Eagles went on a 9-2 run to close out the 70-58 victory to move into the championship game. 

Thompson picked up a double-double as she picked up a team-high 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds in her final game in a Red Hawks jersey. 

Dumatol followed close behind with 17 points as she hit a team-high five three-pointers. 

Nguyen picked up a double-double as well by posting 10 points with a team-high 13 rebounds. 

With the loss, Simpson closes out the first year under Head Coach Anthony Taylor by finishing 14-10 with a 7-3 conference record as they qualified for the Cal Pac Conference Tournament as the third seed. 

Simpson says goodbye to four seniors; Nisha Kang, Natalie Brown, Tessa Kinney, and Nikki Thompson as they move into the offseason. 

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