Peacocks unable to overcome third-quarter turnover in loss to Lions

JOPLIN, Mo. – A fumble midway through the third quarter turned the tide in Upper Iowa’s (1-1) 21-19 loss to Missouri Southern (1-1) in Fred G. Hughes Stadium on Saturday night. Both teams battled through hot conditions, with the temperature at kickoff at 96 degrees. With 5:52 left in the third quarter and the Peacocks up 13-7, sophomore Christian Lassiter recorded his first career interception at the Missouri Southern 37-yard line. Immediately on the next play, an errant toss on a reverse gave the ball right back to the Lions. MSSU took advantage of that opportunity, driving 53 yards in…