Tulsa Defeats New Mexico to Reach NIT Championship

Golden Hurricane hold off late comeback to advance to title game

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of gold, blue, cherry red, and silver, conveying the dynamic action and competition of the NIT semifinal matchup.Tulsa's hard-fought victory over New Mexico showcases the intensity and unpredictability of the NIT tournament.Indianapolis Today

The No. 1 seed Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated the No. 1 seed New Mexico Lobos 74-69 in the NIT semifinal at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tulsa led for most of the game, but New Mexico tied it at 59 with 5 minutes left before the Golden Hurricane held on for the victory and a spot in the NIT championship game on Sunday.

Why it matters

This win puts Tulsa in the NIT championship game, giving the program a chance to win its first NIT title. New Mexico's late-game surge showed the Lobos' resilience, but they ultimately came up short of reaching the final.

The details

Tulsa (30-7) led for the majority of the game, but New Mexico (26-11) tied it at 59 with 5:01 remaining on a pair of free throws by JT Rock. The Golden Hurricane were able to regain the lead and hold on down the stretch to secure the 74-69 victory and a spot in the NIT championship game.

  • The game was played on April 3, 2026 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
  • New Mexico tied the game at 59 with 5:01 left in the second half.

The players

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

The No. 1 seed in the NIT tournament, Tulsa advanced to the championship game with their victory over New Mexico.

New Mexico Lobos

The No. 1 seed in the NIT tournament, New Mexico's late comeback effort fell short in the semifinal loss to Tulsa.

JT Rock

The New Mexico player who hit two free throws to tie the game at 59 with 5:01 remaining.

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What they’re saying

“We knew New Mexico would make a run, but our guys showed a lot of poise down the stretch to hold them off and get the win.”

— Frank Haith, Tulsa Head Coach

What’s next

Tulsa will face the winner of the other semifinal between Vanderbilt and UAB in the NIT championship game on Sunday, April 6th.

The takeaway

Tulsa's victory over New Mexico in the NIT semifinal sets up an intriguing championship matchup, as the Golden Hurricane look to capture their first-ever NIT title against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.