ROME, Ga. – Despite being down three crucial players, the Shorter Hawks withstood an attempted comeback by the Warhawks of Auburn University Montgomery to win 66-61 on Tuesday at the Winthrop-King Centre.

Shorter's Ricky Knight Jr. put up a game-high 22 points in the victory, including knocking down five 3-pointers and going 5-8 from the free-throw line. Teammate Jay Shropshire finished second in scoring with 17 points, secured four rebounds and two steals. The Hawks' Jaden Dunham made his biggest impact on the boards with seven rebounds to go along with his nine points.

The Hawks went on an 18-8 run to start the game and found themselves up by 15 with 1:20 left in the first half thanks to a 3-pointer by Knight Jr. In the second half, Auburn University Montgomery slowly came back and cut it to one with 9:28 remaining in the game via a Maharrith Jackson 3-point shot. The game went back and forth from there, but the home side was able to hold on for the victory.

The aforementioned Jackson and Sam Youngblood led the Warhawks (2-6) in scoring with 14 points apiece in the loss.

The Shorter Hawks (4-9) will be back in action on Friday, February 19 at 6 p.m. on the road at University of West Georgia.