REDDING, Calif. - The women's basketball squad took on DIII opponent tonight, UC Santa Cruz, but fell 74-62. 

The Banana Slugs scored the first eight points of the game before a free throw by Lupe Lemus got the Red Hawks on the board. 

UC Santa Cruz took the commanding 16-3 lead before the Red Hawks scored five straight points with Destiny Nichols posting three points and Andre Perez adding another two free throws. 

But the Banana Slugs displayed a dominant first quarter as they held the 24-10 lead. 

However, the Red Hawks answered back in the second quarter as Anna Marshall connected on a layup and a deep three from beyond the arc to pull the Red Hawks within nine. 

Simpson reeled off 15 straight points to take the 32-30 lead with Marshall accounting for 10 points and Perez adding five points. 

Marshall connected once more as she hit from beyond the arc to give Simpson the 35-34 lead going into the half. 

The Red Hawks and Banana Slugs went back in forth in the third quarter as Simpson held onto the one-point lead going into the fourth quarter. 

Simpson tied the game at 56 on a jumper by Marshall, but the Banana Slugs reeled off 11 straight points to take the 66-56 lead. 

UC Santa Cruz proved too much as they took the 74-62 midweek victory. 

Marshall had a huge game as she just missed a double-double by posting a team-high 31 points and nine rebounds. 

Simpson looks to bounce back as they take on Pacific Union College on Saturday at 6 pm. 
 

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