ROME, Ga. – Three players scored in double figures and Eric Ross grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds as the Hawks defeated Hiwassee College, 97-81.

With the win, Shorter improves to 6-1 overall, while the loss drops Hiwassee to 6-3.

The Hawks held an early 15-13 lead after two free throws from Phil Taylor with 12:44 remaining in the half. Taylor went to the line 24 times on the night and converted 20 of his attempts. His 20 of 24 night at the charity stripe tied Gulf South Conference records for both free throws made and attempted in a single game.

Leading by only two with 5:13 left in the period, Shorter went on a 10-0 run to take a 34-22 lead. Alijah Bennett scored 6 of his 22 points during the run, while Taylor added four and Warren Helligar one.

At the half, the Hawks held a six-point advantage, 41-35.

In the second period, Hiwassee managed to keep the game within reach, pulling within three, 62-59, with 8:55 to play.

Taylor's three-pointer with 6:08 remaining gave Shorter its first double digit lead of the half, and Bennett quickly extended the lead to 14, 80-66.

After Taylor put the Hawks up 15, the Tigers managed to cut the home team's advantage to 10, but SU quickly took its largest lead of the game at 16 points.

Jumpers by Bennett and Damerit Brown helped the Hawks take a 91-75 advantage with 2:07 remaining.

Over the final minutes, each team scored six points as Shorter defeated the Tigers, 97-81.

Taylor led both teams with a game-high 41 points. His record tying night at the free throw line marks the second time in as many weeks that he has either tied or broken a GSC record. Early last week, he scored 62 points against Carver College, breaking the conference's single-game scoring record.

For the Hawks, Bennett also scored in double figures with 22 points, while Amonte Potter added 10. Ross collected a game high 18 rebounds, including 8 offensive.

Shorter shot 42.6% from the field, while the Tigers shot slightly better, converting 44.6% of their attempts.

The two teams combined to go 53 of 79 at the free throw line with Shorter shooting 38 of 56 from the line as a team. 56 free throw attempts puts the Hawks tied for fifth in the GSC record books for most attempts in a single contest.

Shorter will return to action at home next Thursday against GSC opponent Delta State. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. from the Winthrop-King Centre.