ROME -- Shorter fell to Mississippi College 96-85 Monday evening in front of the home crowd at the Winthrop-King Centre.

With the loss, the Hawks slip to 3-16 overall and 3-8 in conference play; while the Choctaws improve to 9-8 on the season and 6-6 in the GSC.

The teams traded baskets and the lead for the much of the beginning of the first half, before the Hawks pulled away with a 14-2 run to make it a 29-29 game with 7:30 to play in the period. TayVaughn Major go thing going with nine straight points over a two-minute span to spark the run, before capping it with a layup and free throw for half of his 24 points on the night. Through the remainder of the frame, the Choctaws cut into the lead, making it a one-point game on a three from Antonio Johnson with thirty seconds to go, before the Hawks closed out the period with a three from Amonte Potter to take a 41-37 advantage into halftime.

The second half was back and forth, untll the Choctaws swung the momentum into their favor with a layup from Brandon Boston to make it a 53-52 game in their favor with just under fifteen minutes to go. Shorter tied things up moments later with a layup from Potter, before Boston added netted a layup to give MC a 56-54 advantage on their next possession. From there the Choctaws never trailed, despite the Hawks keeping things close, and held on for the 96-85 win.

Major led the Hawks with 24 points; while Potter chipped in with 16, Drew Thomas added 15, Josh Burnett posted 13 and Jonathan Mason came off the bench to net 11. Burnett also added his fourth double-double of the year with a game high 11 rebounds.

Donovan Ham led the Choctaws and all scorers with 31 points in the game.

Shorter will look to get back in the win column Thursday as they travel to Union for a 9:00pm ET start.