Simpson’s men’s basketball team opened the Oxford Suites Invitational with an 83–79 loss to Warner Pacific, its first defeat of the season. The Red Hawks erased a 14-point deficit and pulled within one late, but couldn’t convert the tying shot before a turnover in the final seconds sealed the result.

By the Numbers
  • Warner Pacific shot 64.7% from 3-point range in the first half.
  • Nick Stone led Simpson with 17 points; Jeffrey Sargeant added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Four of Simpson’s five starters scored in double figures.
Yes, But

Warner Pacific’s late free-throw struggles gave Simpson a chance to steal the game, but the Red Hawks couldn’t capitalize. The Knights went 3-for-7 at the line in the final minutes.

What’s Next

Simpson faces Pacific Union College at 7 p.m. the next day in a nonconference game.

Bottom Line

Simpson showed it could fight back from a large deficit, but a late turnover and missed tying opportunity turned a potential comeback into its first loss.