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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southern (5-6, 3-6 MIAA) won its fifth game for the first time since the 2004 and broke a string of four-straight wins by the Hornets over the Lions. Emporia (3-8, 2-7) lost for the seventh time in a row, all in the MIAA. The Hornets opened up the scoring when quarterback Ben Purkeypile hit Sean Partridge for a three yard touchdown pass with 9:29 left in the first quarter. Colbert and the Lions would answer and on their next possession when Colbert took in his first of two touchdowns on the day, this one for one yard to tie the game at seven. Emporia's Jeff Edwards added a 19 yard field goal to give the Hornets a quick 10-7 lead, but on the Lions' next possession, Ronnell Newman rumbled in from five yards to put Southern up 14-10 after one quarter. The scoring barrage continued and Purkeypile threw his second touchdown of the day, a three yard pass to Ryan Hullings, putting ESU up 17-14. The Lions jumped back ahead when Colin Bado took a pitch from Adam Hinspeter and rushed 14 yards for the touchdown. Southern would score again when Kellen Anderson picked up the ensuing kickoff after Hullings fumbled and ran back for 12 yards to put the Lions up 28-17. Emporia added another field goal from Edwards just before the end of the half to cut the Southern lead to 28-20. The Hornets struck first in the second half and with 7:21 left in the third, Seville Ko ran for 35 yards. ESU went for the two point conversion but failed, keeping the Lions up 28-26. That decision would turn out to be crucial later on in the game. The Hornets got back on top with just 1:00 left in the third, when Jared Briggs caught a 46 yard touchdown pass from Zac Teske on a fake punt, putting ESU up 33-28. Colbert picked the Lions up to start the fourth quarter. His seven yard touchdown run capped a four minute scoring drive to put Southern up by one. The Lions would try the two point conversion, but failed. Neither team could find the endzone for the rest of the game and with four seconds remaining, Moses Manga came up with his third interception of the year and added a blocked kick to seal the Lions' season-ending win. Emporia out-gained the Lions 375-265, but the Lions were a perfect 4-4 in their redzone chances while Emporia missed out on a blocked field goal attempt. Colbert had 63 yards and two touchdowns. Hinspeter had 164 yards on 12-23 passing and one interception. Newman and Bado both added a rushing TD for the Lions. Brian Malette was a perfect 3-3 on point afters today, raising his streak to 33 on the year, and setting a new Missouri Southern record. Manga had an interception and a blocked kick, while Johnny Berry added a sack. Kyle Mayden had eight tackles and a forced fumble, while Casey Ellett forced a fumble of his own. The Lions end the season 5-6 and while most would agree, two more wins could have easily been had, still should consider this a productive season and a positive start to the Bart Tatum era.
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