The Shorter Hawks (9-10, 4-9) fell to the Union Bulldogs (13-6, 7-6) 109-96 in Gulf South Conference play on Saturday.

Trevor McDade scored Shorter's first five points of the game, helping the Hawks jump out to a 5-2 lead. Shorter would increase its advantage to as many as seven, 19-12, with 14:47 remaining in the first half. Unfortunately, the Hawks were outscored 27-47 over the rest of the period.

After trailing by five, a McDade three pointer and Phil Taylor jumper in the lane evened the score at 34. Union rattled off five unanswered points, taking a 39-34 lead. At the under four media timeout, the Hawks trailed by eight 42-34. In the final four minutes of the first half, the Bulldogs extended their lead to as many as 13 points, taking a 53-40 advantage. Shorter would get within 11 thanks to an Amonte Potter two late in the period, but went into the locker room down 59-46.

Union Bulldog Roy Bullock played a large part in giving Union a 13-point half time advantage. The senior guard hit six of his eight attempts from the field, including five of seven from beyond the arc. He went 2-2 from the charity stripe, registering 19 points in the opening half. Marterrace Brock also scored 19 points for the Bulldogs in the first half. Brock made eight of 11 field goal attempts, as the duo combined for 38 of Union's 59 first half points.

The Union offense continued its hot shooting in the second half. While McDade pulled SU to within 10, 64-54, the Hawks could not stop the Bulldog offense. After trading baskets for some time, Union took a 16-point lead into the under 12 media timeout 75-59. Coming out of the timeout, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 20 points via free throws by Brock. With the score at 81-61, Union went on a 9-5 run to take a commanding 90-66 lead.

With the Bulldogs holding a 98-74 advantage, the Hawks were able to pull within 19 points, 100-81, thanks to a three by Cole Birchfield and four points from Matt Catanzano. With 2:14 to go, Birchfield pulled Shorter within 18, 87-105. After two Bulldog free throws, Catanzano hit a three pointer, making the Hawks deficit 17 points. A Union intentional foul allowed Shorter to cut into the Bulldog lead, bringing the score to 107-92. The Hawks would get as close 13, ultimately falling 109-96.

McDade scored 23 points for Shorter, while Chris Daniels added 18. Bullock led Union with a game-high 27. The Hawks shot 51.3% from the floor, while the Bulldogs hit 64.3% of their shots.

Shorter will be back in action on Thursday, January 28, against Valdosta State. Tipoff between the Blazers and Hawks is set for 8 PM EST from Valdosta, Georgia.