ROME -- The Hawks earned their first win of the season, topping West Georgia 69-66 in the GSC opener from the Winthrop-King Centre.

With the win, Shorter snaps a seven-game skid and moves to 1-7 on the year and 1-0 in conference play; while the Wolves move to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the GSC. The win is also the first for Hawks' head coach, Wade Anderson.

The Hawks got off to a strong start, jumping out to an 18-8 lead on a layup from TayVaughn Major with 13:15 to play in the first. From there, however, the Wolves answered, cutting the lead to two on a three from Ray Reeves – 24-22 – to cap a 14-6 run midway through the period. Before tying the game minutes later on a three from William Sides to make it a 27-27 game with 4:48 remaining. Through the final minutes, Shorter added a basket from Major, and went into the break trailing 33-29.

In the second period, West Georgia led by as many as six, 49-43, with 11:55 to play. Only to have Shorter erase the advantage and regain the lead 52-51 on a layup from Jonathan Mason, capping a 9-3 run with 8:07 left on the clock. Down the stretch, the teams traded the lead, with the Hawks going ahead for good on a jumper from Amonte Potter to make it a 65-63 game with just over a minute to play. Before going on to earn the win, thanks in part to a pair of late free throws from Potter. The Wolves made a last second attempt to tie the game, but their shot fell short as the buzzer sounded, for the 69-66 Shorter win.

Four players finished in double-figures for Shorter; led by Major with 20. Josh Burnett added a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. While, Potter posted 15 points and Drew Thomas chipped in with 10.

Sides led the Wolves with 23 points; while Greg James added 14 and Aren Ulmer turned in nine.

The Hawks will be back in action Saturday at 4:00pm when they welcome GSC newcomer, Auburn Montgomery, to the Winthrop-King Centre.