Simpson’s Big 3 propels them past NNMC to claim their first Chip!

Anna Marshall, Simpson's leading scorer and the Cal Pac Player of the Year, dealt with foul trouble all night and eventually fouled out of the game early in the 4th period which gave the Simpson fans and coaching staff cause for concern. However, Andrea Perez and Destiny Nichols, picked up the slack leading the Red Hawks to their first Cal Pac championship joining the men who won earlier.

The top seeded Red Hawks outlasted new league member Northern New Mexico, 63-58, and are headed to NAIA nationals for just the second time. Simpson advances to postseason play with an 16-7 record. NNMC ended 11-11.

Perez, junior guard from Porterville, CA, shot 25% from behind the arc during the regular season and came up huge with 4 threes including two in a row after their star player was disqualified. Marshall finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Perez and Newcomer of the Year Nichols would prove invaluable for the rest of the game on both ends of the floor. Four Red Hawks scored in double figures including Lupe Lemus (10) and Moriah Bowles (10) which gave Simpson a much needed boost to stave off the Eagles' attack.

First team selection Jayden Jenkins, Northern New Mexico's workhorse led the Eagles with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Paulina Lopez put up a valiant effort on both ends and scored 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals to keep the Eagles close. GG Romero, Cal Pac Freshman of the Year finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds and one steal.

The championship win for Simpson punched their ticket to an automatic bid to the NAIA tournament beginning March 13-16.

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