LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Cody Stroud threw three touchdowns to lead McNeese State to a 31-23 victory over Sam Houston State in Southland Conference play on Saturday night.

Stroud was 15 of 25 for 267 yards and his 15-yard TD pass to Diontae Spencer put the game out of reach at 28-16 with 10:11 left in the fourth quarter. Running back Marcus Wiltz added 122 yards on 21 carries.

The Cowboys (6-1, 2-0) led 14-6 at halftime and Marcus Wiltz's 4-yard TD in the third quarter extended their lead to 21-9.

The Bearkats (5-2, 1-1) scored an 18-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to eight points with one minute remaining in the game.

The contest broke a tie at the top of the conference standings between the two teams, which had matching records coming in to the game.