MOBILE -- It was a night of firsts for the Hawks Friday night as they opened the season on a high note, topping Spring Hill 89-74 in Mobile. The win not only marked the first win of the season, but also the first career win for head coach, Tyler Murray. And, Phil Taylor made the most of his first game for Shorter, leading the offense with 36 points on the night.

Trailing at the break, the Hawks picked things up in the second frame. After the Badgers opened the half by extending their lead to eight points, Shorter turned in an 11-3 run to tie the game at 53 on a jumper from Taylor with 15:15 to play. Over the next seven minutes the teams traded the lead, but with the game tied at 66 and 8:51 remaining, Joseph Bobbitt netted a free throw that put the Hawks ahead for good.

Alijah Bennett, Cole Birchfield, and Chris Daniels joined Taylor in double-figures, with Bennett and Birchfield finishing with 13 points each, and Daniels chipping in with 12. The Badgers were led by Sawyer Glick's 27 points.

Shorter made the most of the Badger's turnovers in the game, tallying 24 points off 19 Spring Hill turnovers; while only giving the ball up 8 times, for 8 points.

The Hawks will continue the road trip Saturday against Lemoyne-Owen College at 3:00pm eastern in Mobile.