REDDING, Calif. - The men's basketball team took down the Keelhaulers in its conference home opener tonight, 85-73. 

The Keelhaulers drew first blood as they scored the first seven points of the game before a jumper by Dylan Harms got Simpson on the board. 

This sparked a 17-0 run as Timothy Parker notched six points, which included two massive dunks. 

A mid-range jumper by Saben Attebery extended Simpson's largest lead of the first half to 11 points, midway through the first half.

But the three-ball helped the Keelhaulers climb back as they took the 33-32 lead with five minutes left in the first half. 

Parker struck again as he shifted the momentum with his third dunk, which cued 12 straight points. 

A three-pointer by Aidan Rolfs closed out the first half scoring for the Red Hawks. But the Pioneers scored the final five points of the first half to make it a 45-40 Simpson advantage. 

Simpson scored the first nine points of the second half as Rolfs registered five points while Preston Kilbert and Nian Allen each posted a layup.

The Keelhaulers' last gasp came inside of four minutes as they pulled within seven points before the Red Hawks slammed the door with seven straight points to close out the 85-73 victory.

Parker posted a team-high 23 points to go along with five assists, while Harms followed close behind with 20 points and three steals.

Rolfs had a big night in the paint as he posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Simpson looks to be back in action this Saturday as they host Pacific Union College. 
 

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