ROME -- Despite turning in the best offensive effort of the season so far, the Hawks couldn't overcome a slow start; falling to West Alabama 43-28 Thursday evening.

Shorter slips to 0-5 on the season and 0-3 in the Gulf South Conference; while the Tigers improve to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the GSC.

The Tigers opened the game with 27 unanswered points on four touchdowns, before the Hawks finally broke through just before the half as Austin Miller took a 19-yard pass from Tyler Pullum into the end zone for his first career touchdown for the 27-6 score at the intermission.

West Alabama kept the momentum into the third quarter, adding three scores. Shorter, however, was able to cut into the lead during the frame as Kevin Knight tallied his second touchdown of the season on a 68-yard interception run midway through the frame, and the Hawks tacked on two on a successful two-point conversion to erase the missed extra point from before halftime.

Trailing 43-14 going into the final period, Shorter stepped up, adding two final touchdowns for the 43-28 score. Pullum scored the first of the quarter, his first rushing touchdown of his career, on an 8-yard run with 11:18 to go, and Elijah Gilbert added his first of the season a 2-yard pass from Pullum with 25 seconds remaining. Both of Hammel's extra point attempts in the period were good.

Shorter finished the night with 302 yards of offense, converting 15 first downs; while West Alabama posted 480 yards of offense for the game.

Pullum was 12-19 on pass attempts for the contest with 171 yards, and three touchdowns. Matt Williams added 24 yards on two completions for the night.

Dante Borders led the run game for Shorter with 43 yards on 11 carries; while Gilbert added 82 yards on four receptions for the game.

Defensively, Jevaris Jones led the effort; adding to his league leading tackle total with 10 solo tackles and one assisted. Rodney Jackson and Kevin Knight each finished with nine tackles and an interception in the game. The interceptions for West Alabama were the first they've given up all season.

Tigers' quarterback, Austin Grammer, threw for 340 yards in the game on 34 completions; while Rashaad Lee led in rushing yards with 64, and Corey Davis added 120 yards on nine catches.

The Hawks will look to keep the momentum going next week as they welcome non-conference opponent Clark Atlanta to Barron Stadium for a 7:00pm start on Thursday, October 6.