Hays, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern football team fell down 17-0 at the half and trailed 27-0 at one point and despite two late touchdowns, couldn't complete the comeback and fell 29-14 today at Fort Hays State. 

Southern (3-6, 2-6 MIAA) got a pair of one yard rushing touchdowns from Anthony Westfield in the second half, but for three quarters, the Lions' offense was silent. 

Collin Howard was 20-29 on the day for 173 yards, while Landon Zerkel and Ne'Ronte Threatt caught five passes each for 42 and 45 yards, respectively. Steven Sumpter had 10 rushes for 40 yards, while Westfield made good with his two rushes for two yards and two scores. 

Fort Hays (4-6, 3-5 MIAA) was led by quarterback Anthony Sheppard as he went 15-20 for 150 yards and two touchdowns. 

Defensively, Richard Williams led the Lions with nine tackles, two for a loss and a sack for a loss of 14 yards. Brian Rodgers had nine tackles and a sack, as well, while Alex Wong, Breon Matlock and Demon Haire had six tackles each. Kenny Smith added a sack himself. 

Hays started the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run from Edward Smith in the first with 12 minutes left. The Tigers would add a touchdown from Sheppard to Cornelius Gallon in the second quarter to go up 14-0 and Tyler Kimborough would add a 27 yard field goal to send the Tigers into the locker room up 17-0. 

Sheppard hit Chase Leake for a touchdown to start the third quarter and Kimborough added a 33 yard field goal to put Hays up 27-0 with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Westfield had a pair of touchdowns for the Lions in the fourth quarter sandwiched around a safety from the Tigers' Kyle Perry. 

Southern will finish up its season next weekend when the Lions head to Pittsburg State to take on the Gorillas in the Sonic Miners Bowl at 2 pm from Carnie Smith Stadium.