ROME, Ga. – The Shorter Hawks hosted the University of Montevallo (UM) on Saturday afternoon, and despite a valiant effort, the home side came up short by the score of 71-62. 
 
Montevallo came out of the gates firing, as they went on a 19-5 run to start the game and led by 15 (40-25) at the end of the first half. Both teams traded blows pretty evenly in the second half until Shorter slowly crept back in it to cut UM's lead to eight (60-52) with 5:49 left in the game, as Ralph Barnett Jr. made a layup as he was fouled and sunk the subsequent free throw. Unfortunately, the Hawks were unable to cut the lead any further the rest of the game as the Falcons went on to win by the aforementioned score of 71-62.
 
Despite the loss, Shorter's Grant Atchley had a very nice game, as he paced the Hawks with 19 points (including three 3-pointers) and added seven rebounds and a steal. Ricky Knight Jr. finished second on the team with 10 points to go along with four rebounds, a block and a steal. Barnett Jr. led the Hawks in rebounds with ten while accounting for nine points, an assist and a steal. 
 
As for UM (10-13, 8-7), Braxton Bertolette put up a game-high 25 points (including four 3-pointers), led his team in rebounds with eight and had an assist and six steals. Teammate Mason Shifflett finished second on the Falcons with 16 points to go along with five rebounds and a steal. 
 
Shorter (4-14, 1-12) will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, as they will host the University of West Alabama at 7:30 p.m. at the Winthrop-King Centre.