BIRMINGHAM -- The Lady Hawks came up just short Friday afternoon; falling to Delta State 75-65 in the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament.

Shorter finishes the season with a 13-17 overall record and an 8-14 conference mark; while the Lady Statesmen will take on Union in Saturday's championship game with an overall record of 19-9.

Trailing by two with 15:56 to play in the first half, Ieshia Alexander netted a 3-pointer to spark a 16-4, five minute run to give the Lady Hawks their largest lead of the game, 23-13, with 11:39 remaining. But, Delta State answered with 11 straight points to take the lead 24-23 at the 6:52 mark.

Over the next minute the teams traded the lead until a 3-pointer from Kenisha Henry began a late run from the Lady Statesmen to close out the half and take a 40-32 advantage into the intermission.

The Lady Hawks opened the second frame on a 10-2 run to tie the game 42-42 with 16:11 to play as Alexander netted a pair of free throws. Delta State took the lead on the next possession, but Shorter kept the pressure and went up 49-48 on 3-pointer from Alexander with 12:55 to play.

Chelsey Rhodes gave the advantage back to the Lady Statesmen seconds later and from there Delta State never trailed as they tallied an 18-5 run – holding the Lady Hawks scoreless for five minutes – to put the game away.

Alexander led the Lady Hawks with a team high 24 points in the game – 9 for 10 from the free throw line. While, Tamarr Williams turned in 12 points and a team highs in rebounds (7) and assists (4).