Joplin, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University football team picked up their first win of the 2012 season with a 16-13 victory over Missouri Southern on Saturday evening. The Bearcats used a stingy defense and timely offense to take down MSSU.

Both SBU and MSSU provided solid defenses in the first half, but the Bearcats were able to get on the scoreboard with 4 seconds left in the first half when John Colliver hit a 33 yard field goal to put SBU up 3-0 going into the half. With 12:34 left in the third quarter the Bearcats extended their lead to 10-0 when Dan Connors hit Zachary Sohn from 10 yards out. Missouri Southern would then score the next two touchdowns, one a rushing touchdown and another a punt return for a touchdown, before the Bearcats will battle back with what would prove to be the game winning play. With 6:32 left in the game, Robert McWright broke off a 38 yard touchdown run to put SBU up 16-13, sealing the victory for SBU.

Jameson Manuma, Shaquille Shedd, and Austin Otwell were all over the football field on defense, with Manuma and Shedd recording a game high 13 tackles, while Otwell gave SBU 12 tackles. The Bearcats recorded three sacks in game, 2.5 to Mauma and 0.5 Otwell and had 8 tackles for a loss. On the offensive side of the ball Dan Connors was 19-29 for 193 yards and one touchdown, while Robert McWright had 6 rushes for 69 yards and a score. Derwyn Lauderdale once again led SBU in receptions with 7 for 80 yards while Nathan Mourik had 4 receptions for 70 yards.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Saturday, September 29 when they travel to Topeka, Kansas for a match-up with the Ichabods of Washburn. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.