MANKATO, MINN. – Tyler Henderson's interception in overtime lifted Minnesota State Mankato to a 24-21 victory over Pittsburg State on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Mavericks (12-0) opened the overtime with a 24-yard field goal by Alden Haffar, who missed three field goals during regulation.
Henderson's interception, the third of the game for the Mavericks, came on the Gorillas' first play.
With the victory, the Mavericks will host Minnesota Duluth next Saturday.
The Mavericks led 21-13 early in the fourth quarter, but the Gorillas tied the game on Anthony Abenoja's 59-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Lutman and two-point pass.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final three minutes of regulation. The Gorillas (11-2) missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 2:41 to play. The Gorillas' De'Vante Bausby intercepted a Mavericks pass at the Gorillas 4-yard line with 37 seconds left.
Ricky Lloyd completed 13 of 25 passes for 214 yards and two TDs for the Mavericks. Lloyd also rushed for 91 yards and a TD.
The Gorillas led 10-7 at halftime, but the Mavericks took a 14-10 lead in the third quarter on a 34-yard TD pass from Lloyd to Darian Buford. Lloyd's 2-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter gave the Mavericks a 20-13 lead.
