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  • Missouri Southern linebacker Gatlin Ridgway tackles Southwest Baptist's Chris Muhamman during Saturday night's game at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

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September 23, 2012

Southwest Baptist downs Lions 16-13

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

Robert McWright’s 38-yard scoring run with 6:32 minutes left in the game boosted Southwest Baptist past Missouri Southern 16-13 in an MIAA football game before 3,582 in Fred G. Hughes Stadium on Saturday night.

The Lions fell to 3-1 entering next Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. game against Central Missouri at Warrensburg.

The Bearcats (1-3), who lost 52-9 to Pittsburg State last week at Bolivar, visit Washburn in Topeka for a 2 p.m. game.

Said Lions defensive tackle Brandon Williams: “We have to come back next week, continue working hard and prepare for Central Missouri. We have to put this behind us.”

McWright, a 220-pound junior, shot up the middle on first-and-16 to erase the Lions’ 13-10 lead and it wouldn’t matter that John Colliver’s attempt for the extra point was blocked by Breon Matlock.

McWright’s score capped a four-play drive that started after the Bearcats stopped the Lions’ bid for a first down at their 44 on fourth-and-1.

Said Missouri Southern head coach Daryl Daye: “It’s a 1-yard deal. It’s a great call if you make it. We have to be aggressive and take chances. I wanted to win the game right there. The ball could have bounced either way.

“Give Southwest Baptist credit,” Daye said. “They gave us problems defensively throughout the game. They executed to get those scores.

“Overall, I was proud of the way the players competed,” Daye said. “They were doing their best. The effort was there and the players aren’t pointing fingers.

“We made some critical mistakes,” Daye said of seven penalties for 72 yards.

“We’re 3-1,” Daye said. “We wanted to win all of the games. We’ll get back to work on Tuesday.”

Missouri Southern had taken the 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by quarterback Kellen Cox that capped a 5-play. 45-yard drive. Anthony Thayer’s 41-yard run the Bearcat 3 set up the TD.

A low snap on the conversion forced a scrambling Cox, the holder, to throw incomplete.

The Lions, trailing 10-0, got back into the game on Ne’Ronte Threatt’s 40-yard punt return for a TD with 7:19 left in the third quarter.

The Bearcats received a 33-yard field goal from Colliver with only four seconds left in the first half. Dan Connors then hooked up with Zach Sohn for a 10-yard scoring pass early in the second half.

Connors completed 19 of 29 passes with one interception for 193 yards and Derwyn Lauderdale was the leading receiver with seven receptions for 80 yards.

Cox, who rushed for 116 yards on 30 carries, keyed a 205-yard effort on the ground for the Lions.

Keith Allen’s Bearcats had a 293-257 advantage in total offense.

The Southwest Baptist leaders in tackles were linebackers Jameson Manuma and Shaquille Shedd (13 apiece) and safety Austin Otwell (12).

The Lions’ Williams had two sacks and 11 total tackles. Linebacker Alex Wong was their leader in tackles with 12.

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Missouri Southern Sports