Nevada, Mo.— A 77-yard touchdown run by Kyendra Thomas early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as the Spires edged Cottey College in a 18-14 USM victory Saturday afternoon in Nevada.

Trailing 14-12 entering the final quarter, USM turned to Thomas, who broke free for the long scoring run at the 11:56 mark of the fourth. The PAT was no good, but the touchdown pushed the Spires back in front, and the defense did the rest, closing out a game in which Saint Mary controlled the yardage battle but had to withstand several momentum swings.

The Spires struck first, capping an eight-play, 55-yard drive late in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. Thomas directed the offense efficiently throughout the day, finishing with 166 rushing yards on 17 carries and adding 114 passing yards and two touchdown passes on 14 completions in 23 attempts.

USM extended the lead to 12-0 early in the second quarter when Thomas connected with Yaneila Romanlopez for a 21-yard touchdown pass at the 10:04 mark. Romanlopez turned in a productive day as a primary target, hauling in five receptions for 50 yards and the score. The Spires' offense finished with 289 total yards on 43 plays, including 175 on the ground, as Thomas and the backfield repeatedly found space against the Cottey defense.

The Comets would answer before halftime, narrowing the gap when quarterback Griffin found Tolentino for a 40-yard touchdown strike with 1:32 left in the second quarter. The successful PAT cut the Spire lead to 12-7 at the break. Griffin helped CC grab its first lead out of halftime, using a 45-yard rush at the start of the third quarter to spark a scoring drive that put the hosts ahead 14-12 heading to the fourth. Griffin finished with 70 passing yards and a touchdown, along with 19 rushing yards, while Tolentino recorded three catches for 67 yards and a score.

Defensively, USM produced key plays that shaped field position throughout the afternoon. Early in the first quarter, Iyanu McNatt intercepted a pass from Cottey's Blanc at the 40-yard line, stopping an opening threat and helping set the tone. Later, Kerisma Delgado contributed on both sides of the ball, adding nine rushing yards, 33 receiving yards on three catches and an interception on defense. The Spires also recovered a fumble as part of a turnover battle that limited the Comets to just 86 total yards on 30 plays.

USM, which posted 11 first downs to Cottey's seven and averaged 6.7 yards per play, used that statistical edge to overcome missed PATs and brief deficits. With Thomas leading the offense and the defense delivering timely stops in the fourth quarter, the Spires closed out the 18-14 win, their first of this early Spring season, and continued to build exciting team momentum.

Up next, USM will host the Ottawa University Braves this Wednesday, March 25^th at 6:00 p.m. in Berkel Memorial. The Braves come into the mid-week match up sitting at 7-0 overall and 5-0 in KCAC action.