ROME -- In typical Shorter versus Lee fashion; it came down to the wire, but in the end the Lady Hawks fell to the Lady Flames 53-50 Thursday night.

Shorter moves to 7-10 on the season and 3-8 in the Gulf South Conference, while Lee improves to 9-4 overall and 6-4 in conference play.

The offensive struggles continued for the Lady Hawks as they were held to 28 percent on the night and 11 percent from the beyond the arc. Turnovers proved costly for both teams as the Lady Flames turned the ball over 15 times, and Shorter 12 – Leading to 11 and 15 points, respectively.

The game was back-and-forth throughout the opening frame as neither team could put together a measurable run. The Lady Hawks largest lead of the period came with 9:09 to go as Cynara Pitt netted a layup to give Shorter the lead, 17-11. But, Lee answered with an 8-0 run to take the lead 19-17 with 2:52 to go. Tatiana Allen tied the game once again moments later on a pair of free throws. The Lady Flames closed on the frame on a 6-3 run to take a 25-22 advantage into the break.

Lee added to its lead in the second period, leading by seven with 12:02 to play, only to see Shorter turn in a 9-0 run to tie the game 36-36 as Ieshia Alexander netted a pair of free throws with 9:08 on the clock.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Alexander once again converted her free throws to make it a 49-49 game with 1:17 remaining. The Lady Flames went 4-5 from the line in the final seconds to earn the win.

Alexander was the lone Lady Hawk to reach double figures as she tallied 12 points in the game – going 7-9 at the line – and just missed her first double-double of the season, adding 9 rebounds on the night. Pitt chipped in with 9 points in the game and Lindsey Crawford added 8.

Lee was paced by 14 point performances from Erin Walsh and Carrie Cheeks.

Shorter will be back in action next Thursday, January 22, as they travel to Memphis to take on Christian Brothers, and then to Jackson, Tenn. for a matchup with Union.