JOPLIN, Mo. - Griffon Football (2-6, 1-5 MIAA) broke a five-game losing streak and rushed for 200 yards in a 19-12 win at Missouri Southern on a rainy, breezy and cool Saturday at Fred G. Hughes Stadium in Joplin.

MoWest, scoring both its first conference win and road win of the season, scored their first 10 points within the first 7:15 of the game, leading 10-0 with 7:45 left first quarter behind a field goal by Latrell Armstrong and a touchdown run by Rickie Dunn.

Crew Myers had a 57-yard punt return to set up Dunn's TD from seven yards out.

Southern (3-5, 1-5 MIAA), who was forced to punt on each of their first three drives, was gifted a short field after recovering a fumble at the Griffon 37-yard line and scoring a touchdown five plays later.

MoWest led 10-7 at the start of the second quarter and added to that total after a four-yard touchdown run by Brandon Hall with 6:57 left in the second quarter, giving the Griffs a 16-7 halftime lead.

Things went a little haywire to start the second half for MoWest. The Griffons got the ball to start the half, but went three-and-out and had their ensuing punt blocked by Southern.

The ball then rolled into the Griffon endzone, but MWSU's Gavin Bell recovered the ball and threw it out of the back of the endzone for a safety, preventing the Lions from scoring an easy touchdown.

Southern then added a field goal on their ensuing drive, making it a 16-12 game with 10:01 to go in the third quarter.

From that point on, the Griffon defense stood firm, holding the Lions to a combined 64 yards of offense on their last four possessions, forcing Southern to punt three more times. The Lions punted seven times in all.

Another big turning point happened with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter. After Mason Grove drilled a 45-yard field goal with 11:45 to go, putting the Griffons up by seven, TreVon Holmes nabbed an interception on the very next play of the ensuing drive.

Southern still had one last chance to tie it, taking over at their own six-yard line with 5:46 to go, but the Griffs again forced Southern to punt. The Griffons took back over with 3:26 to go, and were able to run out the remaining time.

The Griffons ran for 200 yards on 53 attempts. Hall finished with season-highs in carries (25), yards (129) and touchdowns (1). He now has 16 career rushing scores, tying him for 10th most all-time in school history.

Dunn finished with 11 carries for 51 yards and a score. Kane Donovan completed 10-of-17 passes for 108 yards and an interception. Brecken Manus had a team-best eight tackles and an interception on the final play of the first half.

Khalid Sereal had a career-best two solo sacks, while Grant Finley had a sack-and-a-half. The Griffon defense forced a season-best four sacks and tied a season-best with three takeaways. Southern was held to -12 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

MoWest returns home Saturday to face Washburn (2-6, 1-5 MIAA). Kickoff from Spratt Stadium is set for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen), the MIAA Network and televised locally on 38 The Spot (Optimum Channel 17 in St. Joseph).