Auburn beats Tulsa 92-86 in OT to win first NIT championship

Tigers overcome late regulation deficit to claim title in Indianapolis

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:08am

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Auburn guard Kevin Overton scored 26 points and Tahaad Pettiford added 24 as the Tigers rallied from a late deficit in regulation to beat Tulsa 92-86 in overtime and win their first NIT championship on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Why it matters

The win gives Auburn its first-ever NIT title, capping a strong postseason run for the Tigers after failing to make the NCAA Tournament. For Tulsa, the loss denies the Golden Hurricane their third NIT championship, which would have been the second-most in program history.

The details

Auburn jumped out to a 34-13 lead in the first half, but Tulsa stormed back with a 24-2 run to take a 61-59 lead with 10:26 remaining. The Tigers forced overtime after Overton hit a baseline 3-pointer with 8 seconds left to tie it at 78-78. In the extra period, Overton hit another 3 to put Auburn up 89-84, and the Tigers held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Indianapolis.
  • Auburn and Tulsa were meeting in the NIT championship game.

The players

Kevin Overton

Auburn guard who scored a game-high 26 points, including a key 3-pointer to force overtime.

Tahaad Pettiford

Auburn guard who scored 24 points and had 8 assists.

David Green

Tulsa guard who led the Golden Hurricane with 25 points.

Tylen Riley

Tulsa guard who scored 20 points in the losing effort.

Ade Popoola

Tulsa guard who hit a key 3-pointer late in regulation to give the Golden Hurricane a 76-71 lead.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game showcased the resilience of the Auburn Tigers, who were able to overcome a late deficit and force overtime to ultimately claim their first-ever NIT championship. The loss is a tough one for Tulsa, who were seeking their third NIT title, but the Golden Hurricane can still be proud of their strong 30-win season.