Florence, Ala. -- The Hawks fell to North Alabama 80-78 Saturday afternoon in their final game before the Christmas holiday on the road in Florence, Ala.

Shorter slips to 5-6 on the season and 1-5 in conference play with the loss; while the Lions improve to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in the Gulf South Conference.

The teams traded the lead for most of the game, with North Alabama holding a slim 45-40 advantage at the intermission. The second half continued as the first with the lead going back-and-forth. The Hawks took the advantage with 3:16 to play on a layup from Alijah Bennett to make it a 74-73 game, only to have the Lions go up 78-76 on back-to-back baskets from Dimmario Jackson. Phil Taylor answered for Shorter, tying the game with ten seconds to go, but John Fletcher gave the North Alabama the win with a layup in the game's final seconds for the 80-78 final score.

Five Hawks finished in double figures with Chris Daniels leading the way with 20 points. Taylor added 18 in the game; while Amonte Potter chipped in with 16 and Trevor McDade and Bennett added 11 and 10, respectively.

The Lions were led by Fletcher's 19 points.

Shorter will look to get back in the win column as they welcome Carver College to the Winthrop-King Centre for a 7:00pm start on December 29.