Auburn Wins First-Ever NIT Championship

Tigers defeat Tulsa 92-86 in overtime thriller

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:07am

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The Auburn Tigers captured their first-ever NIT championship on Sunday, defeating the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 92-86 in overtime at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Auburn dominated the first half, but Tulsa stormed back in the second half to force overtime before the Tigers pulled away in the extra period.

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Auburn basketball program, which has never won an NIT title before. The hard-fought win over Tulsa also showcases the Tigers' resilience and ability to withstand a furious comeback attempt.

The details

Auburn raced out to a 48-31 halftime lead, led by 15 first-half points from sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford. But Tulsa roared back in the second half, going on a 29-11 run to take a 60-59 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The game went to overtime after Auburn's Kevin Overton hit a game-tying three-pointer with 8 seconds left. In the extra period, the Tigers took control and outscored Tulsa 14-8 to secure the victory.

  • The NIT championship game took place on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • Auburn led Tulsa 48-31 at halftime.

The players

Tahaad Pettiford

An Auburn sophomore guard who scored 15 points in the first half to help the Tigers build a big lead.

Kevin Overton

An Auburn junior guard who hit the game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime.

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What they’re saying

“This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We never gave up, even when Tulsa made their run, and I'm so proud of how we responded in overtime.”

— Bruce Pearl, Auburn Head Coach

What’s next

Auburn will look to build on this NIT championship as they prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season, where they will aim to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Auburn's first-ever NIT title showcases the program's continued growth and development under head coach Bruce Pearl. The Tigers' ability to withstand Tulsa's second-half surge and prevail in overtime demonstrates the team's mental toughness and resilience, which should serve them well in the future.