ROME -- West Alabama rallied late to top the Lady Hawks, 55-53, Saturday afternoon in Shorter's first game back after the holidays.

The Lady Hawks slip to 6-7 on the season and 2-5 in the Gulf South Conference with the loss, while the Tigers improve to 6-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

Shorter led most of the game, shooting 44 percent in the game – 50 percent from beyond the arc, while holding West Alabama to 43 percent shooting, and 27 percent from 3-point range.

In the first half the Lady Hawks took the lead with 15:09 to play on a layup from Cynara Pitt, and didn't look back; leading by as many as nine in the frame and taking a 31-25 lead into the intermission. The Tigers, however, answered in the second half to earn the win; opening the period on a 13-4 run to take the lead, 38-37, with 11:28 to go on a jumper from Latisha McCullum. Shorter then rallied, tying the game, 44-44, on a three pointer from Ieshia Alexander with 6:21 remaining. Through the final minutes the teams matched each other point for point and once again saw the game tied, 53-53, with seconds to go as Lindsey Crawford netted a pair of free throws. But, in the end McCullum delivered the winner for the Tigers as she netted a jumper as time expired to give West Alabama the win 55-53.

Two Lady Hawks finished in double figures; with Alexander leading the way with 17 and Crawford adding 14. Britney McCloud led the Tigers with a game high 18 points, while
Kelcia Bufkin added 16 and Jada Williams chipped in with 10.

Shorter will look to get back in the win column Monday as West Georgia visits the Winthrop-King Centre for a 6:00pm tip.