Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team saw Northeastern State get on the board first, but the Lions scored the next 34 points en-route to the 34-7 win at home today inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium. 

Southern (3-4, 3-4 MIAA) rushed for 346 yards and out gained NSU (0-7, 0-7 MIAA) 401-294. 

The RiverHawks scored first as Kevin Pantastico hit Garrett Powell for a 26-yard touchdown reception to put NSU up 7-0. The Lions trailed NSU 7-0 after one. 

After an interception from the Lions' Johnquavious McBride, Shannon Saunders capped off a five-play, 26-yard drive to tie the game at seven. Neither team scored the rest of the quarter and the game was tied at seven at halftime. 

The Lions came out of the locker room on fire to start the second half. Will Gregory had a 39-yard carry and Scott Lathrop hit Saunders for a 20-yard touchdown pass and catch to give the Lions a 14-7 lead on the team's opening possession of the half. 

The teams traded possessions until Lathrop capped off a six-play, 88-yard drive with a 12-yard run to give the Lions a 21-7 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

Southern added two more scores in the fourth quarter as Saunders picked up a 51-yard rushing score and Giresse Forchu had a one-yard dive into the endzone. 

Forchu led the Lions with 134 yards on the ground and one score. Saunders had 103 yards and two scores, while Gregory had 101 yards and Lathrop picked up a touchdown on the ground and through the air.

Defensively, the Lions were led by McBride's ten stops and an interception return for 33 yards. He added a pass break up and a half a tackle for a loss. Dalvin Taylor, Breon Matlock and Eric Dago had a sack each, while Vice Epenesa and Laynce Sanders combined for a sack of their own. Kevin Gill had an interception return for 29 yards. 

The Lions will be back in action next Saturday when Southern travels to Lindenwood to take on the Lions at Hunter Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 pm.