Box Score The Lindenwood Lions football team closed out its 2012 season with a 41-21 loss to Winona State in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior springs, Mo.

Winona State's running attack was too much for the Lions as the Warriors rushed for 294 yards on 48 carries. Lindenwood's ground game was bottled up all day by Winona State rushing for just eight yards on 16 carries. Rayon Simmons rushed for 198 yards and scored one touchdown to lead the way for the Warriors.

Both offenses started off with long touchdown passes. Dillon Miller hooked up with Andrew Helmick on the third play from scrimmage for an 87-yard pass and catch to give the Lions the early 7-0 lead. The touchdown pass was the third longest in Mineral Bowl history. It didn't take the Warriors long to answer the Lindenwood score. Just two plays later John Teigland connected with Josh Mikes on a 75-yard score to tie the game.

After the score was tied the Lions offense continued to move the ball, but the drive stalled and James Neal missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. Winona State proceeded to go on a 10-play drive that ended in a field goal and gave the Warriors a 10-7 lead.

The next four possessions saw both teams be forced to punt. With just over nine minutes to play in the first half, Ben Gomez took over at quarterback and proceeded to throw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Helmick to give the Lions the 14-10 lead.

The Lindenwood defense came back onto the field and forced a punt to give the ball right back to the Lions offense. Then everything started to change in the wrong direction for Lindenwood.

Gomez threw an interception on the second play of the drive, which was turned into seven points just five plays later. Then the Winona State defense forced a three-and-out which led to another touchdown late in the half to give the Warriors the 24-14 lead at the break.

The second half started quickly for the Warriors as it took just three plays to go 80-yards for the touchdown. Gomez would throw his second interception of the game on the next possession and once again Winona State turned it into points. This time it was a 27-yard field goal and gave the Warriors a commanding 27-14 lead.

Lindenwood's offense tried to sneak back into the game after going on a 14 play 80-yard drive to cut the lead to 10. But as Winona State had done all game the team answered with a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

The Lions were led by Helmick who caught nine passes for 202 yards and two scores. Alex Robinson also had a good day hauling in six passes for 77 yards. Miller finished the day throwing for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while Gomez compiled 198 yards but threw two interceptions.

Connor Harris led the way on defense for Lindenwood with eight tackles while Cody Fogle pitched in with seven. Pierre Desir led the team with two pass breakups and Sean Gracy had one tackle for a loss.

The Lions end the season with a record of 8-4.