ANGWIN, Calif. - The women's basketball squad opened the 2026 fiscal year with a 79-58 road win against Pacific Union College in a nonconference match. 

Simpson quickly jumped out to an early 8-0 lead as Cerina Nguyen, Anna Marshall, Destiny Nichols, and Andrea Perez posted buckets. 

The Red Hawks held total control in the first quarter as they outscored the Pioneers 20-8 with Nichols and Perez leading the way to combine for 14 points while shooting 50% from the floor. 

A 7-1 Pioneer advantage, interrupted by a free throw by Nichols to begin the second quarter, trimmed the Red Hawks' lead to seven points.

PUC pulled as close as six points midway through the second quarter before the Red Hawks rebuilt their lead to 14 points as Perez notched five points during a three-minute span. 

Pacific Union scored the final six points as the Red Hawks held the 38-30 lead. 

The Pioneers came out of the break on fire as they outscored Simpson 10-2 to tie the game at 40. 

However, Simpson responded by building its lead to 18 points as they closed out the third quarter on a 24-6 run. 

Nichols and Marshall paced the Red Hawks with a combined 17 points and four steals. 

18 points proved too much for the Pioneers as the Red Hawks held onto the New Year's Day victory to conclude its preseason play. 

Nichols began the New Year strong with a team-high 23 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. 

Marshall and Perez each scored 16 points as they combined for 11 rebounds.

Nguyen rounded out the double-digit performances with 11 points and eight rebounds. 

Simpson concludes its preseason schedule going 6-4 with exhibition contests against a number of DI and DII opponents. The Red Hawks begin conference play on Thursday as they take on Stanton University at Cypress College at 5:45 pm. 
 

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