Leavenworth, Kan.— Southwestern broke open a one-score game with less than two minutes left and handed the Spires an 18-6 loss Saturday afternoon at Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium in Leavenworth. The dagger sequence came at the 1:56 mark of the fourth quarter, when the Moundbuilders Mary Jones intercepted a Kyendra Thomas pass and returned it 3 yards to the USM 19, setting up the final touchdown that put the game away and left USM defeated.

The Moundbuilders struck first in the opening quarter. Solis caught a 2-yard touchdown pass with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter to give Southwestern a quick 6-0 lead. SC added another score in the second quarter, when Hayes finished a touchdown drive with 1:07 left before halftime to make it 12-0.

The Spires would confidently answer on the final play of the first half. Thomas connected for a touchdown with 2 seconds left in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 12-6 and keeping USM within a possession heading into the break, and hopeful momentum to open up the second half of action.

USM finished with 155 total yards and eight first downs on 42 plays. Thomas went 16-for-35 for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Saint Mary added 22 rushing yards. Southwestern turned to be more efficient offensively, totaling 197 yards on 42 plays and averaging 4.7 yards per snap. The Moundbuilders also made key defensive plays, recording three sacks for 9 yards and forcing the game-changing interception in the fourth quarter.

Hayes led the Southwestern offense by completing 15 of 20 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns while adding 37 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Jones contributed on both sides of the ball, finishing with five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown before delivering the late interception. Solis added six catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns, including the game's first score.

The Spires stayed competitive throughout despite being out gained and trailed by just six points for the entire second half until the unfortunate late turnover. After Jones' interception gave Southwestern a short field, Hayes capped the drive with her third touchdown pass of the afternoon, extending the lead to 18-6 and sealing the outcome in favor of the visitors.

Comin up, USM will travel to Fulton, Missouri to face-off against the William Woods University Owls on Wednesday, April 1^st. The conference match up is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Owls North Campus Athletic Center.