ROME -- The Hawks closed out the home portion of the regular season with wins over Delta State and Mississippi College. Topping the Statesmen 79-76 on Thursday, and following up the win with a 101-91 victory over the Choctaws Saturday.

The wins improve Shorter to 18-9 on the season and 13-8 in the Gulf South Conference.

Thursday against Delta State (14-13, 11-10 GSC), the Hawks trailed at halftime 33-38, but began chipping away in the second period; taking the lead 53-52 on a dunk from Jordan Jacks with 10:13 to play. The teams then traded the lead over the next six minutes with the Hawks regaining the lead, this time for good, with 4:58 to go on a three pointer from Cole Birchfield.

Jacks and Dedric Ware both recorded double-doubles on the night; Jacks with a team high 25 points, 10 rebounds and Ware with 12 points, 10 assists. Brock Rowan also added double figures for Shorter with 10.

Saturday against Mississippi College (11-12, 9-12 GSC), Shorter took the lead early and never looked back. The Choctaws mounted a comeback in the second frame, shaving a 32-point Hawk lead to 7, but weren't able to go ahead.

Jacks posted his second double-double in as many games with 11 points, 10 rebounds. Ware just missed a double-double of his own with a game high 31 points and 9 assist. Rowan came off the bench to score 14 points, while Birchfield chipped in with 13 in the game, and Tyler Alderman added 10.

Shorter will close out the regular season next Saturday, February 28, as they travel to longtime rival, Lee University, for a 7:00pm start.