SEARCY, Ark. — No. 2 ranked Harding University scored the game's first 27 points and then held off a furious second half comeback bid by No. 2 Pittsburg State University as the Bisons defeated the Gorillas, 37-21, in the second round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs Saturday (Nov. 29).

Harding (13-0) will advance to the national quarterfinals to meet the winner of Western Colorado and Texas Permian Basin in the Super Region Finals next Saturday (Dec. 6). Pitt State ends its season with a 10-3 record.

Zahmari Palode-Gary got the Gorillas on the board with 9:18 to play in the third quarter by breaking loose for a 25-yard touchdown scamper.

The Pitt State defense forced a pair of turnovers in the fourth quarter to generate its final 14 points.

Quarterback Jackson Berry tossed a five-yard TD pass to wide receiver Kuron Parchmon with 8:42 to play in the game to trim the Bisons margin to 37-14.

Safety Jordan Rogers (force) and linebacker Billy Wolfe (recovery) created the change of possession.

One minute later, Berry connected with tight end Luke Niggemann for a 30-yard scoring connection, one play after safety Ryan Medeiros (force) and linebacker Steven Ward II (recovery) jarred another ball loose.

The Gorillas forced Harding into a punt but the Bisons held Pitt State on downs with at the HU 46 with 3:35 to play; and Harding ran out the remainder of the clock to seal the win.

Berry completed 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards and the two touchdown passes. Palode-Gary carried the ball six times for 62 yards. Ward made a team-leading 14 stops for the Pitt State defense.