ROME -- The Lady Hawks fell to Montevallo 73-70 Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, Shorter slips to 7-18 overall and 5-14 in the GSC; while the Falcons move to 4-24 on the season and 1-18 in conference play.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Falcons pulled away in the second, extending their lead to ten midway through on a jumper from Paige Wood to make it a 30-20 game. Only to have the Lady Hawks begin chipping away, using a 13-5 run over the next four minutes to cut the lead to two on a pair of free throws from Bianca Thornton. But, that was as close as they'd get as Montevallo closed out the half on an 8-1 run to hold a 43-34 advantage at the break.

Shorter answered in the third quarter, to tie the game, using a 13-4 scoring advantage, tying the game at 47-47 on a free throw from Jackie Hudson with 3:56 to play. And, took the lead on a layup from BreAnna Thompson. Shorter lead by one, 53-52, heading into the final period. Where the teams nearly matched each other point-for-point. The Lady Hawks made it a four point game, 58-54, on three from Denise Newton with 8:07 to play. From there the Falcons rallied, tying the game at 58 and 60, before taking the lead, 62-60, on a layup from Kourtnie Smith with 2:55 to play. Montevallo never trailed from that point as they held on for the win, 73-70.

The Lady Hawks shot 40.6 percent for the game, including 32 percent from three and 52.6 percent from the free throw line.

Newton led the offensive effort with a career high 26 points; converting 10-15 from the field and 5-8 from three. Thornton and Thompson each finished with 13 points; while Jasmine Gaines added 10.

Smith led the Falcons with 20 points and was joined in double figures by three additional players.

Shorter closes out the season Thursday, February 21, as they welcome longtime rival, Lee University, to the Winthrop-King Centre for a 6:00pm start.