ROME -- The Lady Hawks fell to Delta State, 65-57, Saturday afternoon in Gulf South Conference action.

With the loss, Shorter slips to 4-12 on the season and 2-8 in conference play; while the Lady Statesmen improve to 7-11 overall and 5-7 in the GSC.

The first quarter was back and forth with the Lady Statesmen holding a slim 12-11 advantage heading into the second frame. The second quarter then opened in much the same fashion before Shorter pulled away midway through. With the game tied at 17 with just under 6:00 remaining, the Lady Hawks used a 13-3 run to close out the period. Roni Richardson sparked the run with a free throw, to join five different players scoring over the span, including six from Jasmine Gaines; to give the Lady Hawks a 31-21 advantage at the halftime break.

Shorter maintained the lead in the third quarter, despite Delta State cutting the lead to two, 41-39, with a 10-2 run to close out the frame. Only to have the lead slip away in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as Alondrea Rush netted a three with 8:19 to play. And, from there it was all DSU as they extended the advantage to as many as ten late in the frame and held on for the 65-57 win.

Gaines led the Lady Hawks with 17 points, shooting 50% for the game. While, BreAnna Thompson added a double-double of 15 points, 13 rebounds.

Rush led the Lady Statesmen with 25 points, with Takisha Jordan chipping in with 16 and Alexis Ross adding 10.

The Lady Hawks will look to get back in the win column Monday as they welcome Mississippi College to the Winthrop-King Centre for a 4:00pm start.