Cleveland, Tenn. -- The Lady Hawks fell to Florida Southern, 77-63, in the opening game of the season Friday afternoon.

The teams traded baskets over the first five minutes, taking a 10-10 tie into the first media timeout of the game, but from there Florida Southern pulled away, coming out of the break scoring the game's next six points.  Before, Shorter broke its score drought with a jumper from Tatum Ragsdale to cut the lead to four 16-12, but that was as close as the Lady Hawks would get through the remainder of the frame.

In the second quarter, the Mocs added to their lead, outscoring Shorter 11-4 through the first five minutes, to take a 31-20 lead into the media break. And, after the timeout, Florida Southern kept at it, extending their lead to as many as 18 with 2:14 to play in the half. The Lady Hawks answered with a 6-2 run, sparked by a pair of free throws from Denise Newton and capped by a three from Roni Richardson, to close out the first half down, 40-26.

After the break, Shorter opened the third on a 5-2 run, cutting the FSC lead to 11 on a layup from BreAnna Thompson with 7:58 to play. But they wouldn't get any closer as the Mocs kept the momentum and took a 57-37 lead into the final quarter.

Florida Southern then maintained their advantage through most of the fourth quarter. Leading by as many as 24, 70-46, on a three from Jirah Ards with 3:45 reaming. But, from there Shorter began chipping away, closing the game on a 17-7 run. Bianca Thornton got things going on a free throw, and Jasmine Gaines followed with a layup, before Richardson added her third three of the game, to spark the run. But, the lead was too much, and the Mocs held on for the 77-63 win.

Richardson led the offense with 18 points, a career high for the sophomore; connecting on 4-5 for the afternoon, including 3-4 from beyond the arc, and 7-8 at the free throw line. Newcomers, Ragsdale and Thornton, added eleven and nine points, respectively, in their first outings for Shorter.

Florida Southern had five players finish in double figures, led by Anja Fuchs-Robetin with a double-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds.

The Lady Hawks will be back in action Saturday afternoon from the Walker Arena on the campus of Lee University, for the final game of the GSC/SSC Challenge against St. Leo at 1:00pm.