REDDING, Calif. - The women's basketball team held off the Pacific Union Pioneers last night as they won 70-61. 

A jumper by Andrea Perez got Simpson on the board first. But the Pioneers and Red Hawks exchanged baskets in a tightly played first quarter. 

With the score tied at 10, the Red Hawks went on a 10-4 run to take the 20-14 lead as Destiny Nichols, Monet Dunham, Te'Niyah Lindsey, and Perez each notched baskets. 

The Pioneers did not go away as they pulled within one before the Red Hawks scored seven straight points with Lindsey knocking down a tough layup while converting on the and-one free throw. 

A layup by Nichols and a free throw by Lupe Lemus to end the half allowed the Red Hawks to sustain the 34-30 lead. 

A high-scoring third quarter started with back-to-back buckets by Nichols to help Simpson hold onto the six-point lead. 

The Pioneers did not go away as they pulled within one possession on three different occasions in the third quarter. 

With the Pioneers in striking distance, Haily Garcia buried a huge three-pointer to end the third quarter and give Simpson the 55-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Pioneers' last gasp came within seven minutes left as they pulled within five points. But the Red Hawks slammed the door with eight straight points to grow their largest lead of the game to 13 points.  

Anna Marshall anchored the rally with back-to-back buckets as Andrea Perez and Nichols posted layups. 

Simpson earned the hard-fought 70-61 victory as both teams combined for 51 personal fouls on the night. 

Marshall led the team with 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals, while Nichols followed close behind with 16 points, and Perez rounded out the double-digit performances with 12 points. 

With the win, Simpson holds sole possession of first place in the Cal Pac standings as they remain undefeated in conference play. 

The Red Hawks are back in action this week as they hit the road to play Nelson University (AZ) on Thursday at 5 pm. 
 

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