PRESCOTT, ARIZ. – The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team won an important contest on Thursday night, taking down Simpson University in a thrilling battle. After trailing by a pair at halftime, the Eagles outscored the Red Hawks by seven in the final 20 minutes, and took away the 65-59 win to move one step closer to the Cal Pac Tournament.

The win allowed the Eagles to move one game closer to third place, and within three games of the Cal Pac Regular Season Championship. Embry-Riddle is also three games ahead of the first team out of the tournament with seven left to play as ERAU closes in on the postseason.

Embry-Riddle shot the three well on Thursday, knocking down 40% of its attempts while only allowing Simpson to hit one. The Eagles also continued to be excellent at getting to the free throw line, getting to the charity stripe 25 times and knocking down 19.

Zakiirah King made five of her seven shot attempts, and hit a trio of free thrown to score 14 points. King really got off and running early, scoring six points in the first quarter while grabbing two rebounds and dishing in assist in the first frame.

Mehgan Strickler scored 12 points, hitting 50% of her three-point attempts to be the second Eagle to get into double-digit points. Strickler also pulled in eight rebounds and nabbed a pair of steals defensively.

Liz Behan was a critical part off the bench, getting eight points, pulling in seven rebounds, nabbing a steal and blocking a shot. Aryana Gonzalez also added seven points and an assist in 12 minutes, and the Eagles bench outscored Simpson's reserves 22-10.

Embry-Riddle will look to wrap up a perfect week when they host UC Merced on Friday night. Tipoff from the ERAU Activity Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.