Tulsa Advances to NIT Championship Game

Golden Hurricane beat New Mexico 74-69 in semifinal, will face Auburn or Illinois State on Sunday

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:48am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the energy and intensity of the NIT semifinal matchup.Tulsa's semifinal victory sets the stage for an exciting NIT championship matchup on Sunday.Today in Tulsa

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated the New Mexico Lobos 74-69 in the NIT semifinal on Thursday night. Tulsa used a late run to pull ahead and held on for the victory, advancing to the NIT championship game on Sunday. Five Tulsa players scored in double figures, led by David Green's 13 points. New Mexico freshman Jake Hall had 20 points in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This win marks Tulsa's third appearance in the NIT championship game, as they look to capture their first NIT title since 2001. The Golden Hurricane have a chance to add another postseason tournament championship to their program's history.

The details

The game was tight throughout, with the teams tied heading into the final five minutes. Tulsa then went on a quick run to build an eight-point lead, which proved to be enough to hold off a late New Mexico comeback attempt. The Lobos cut the deficit to three points with a minute remaining, but Tulsa was able to ice the game at the free-throw line.

  • The semifinal game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The NIT championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

David Green

The leading scorer for Tulsa, with 13 points, most of which came from the free-throw line.

Jake Hall

A freshman for New Mexico, he led the Lobos with 20 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back in the championship game and have a chance to win another NIT title for Tulsa.”

— Frank Haith, Head Coach, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

What’s next

The winner of the Auburn vs. Illinois State semifinal game will face Tulsa in the NIT championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

Tulsa's return to the NIT championship game is a testament to the program's consistency and ability to compete at a high level in the postseason. The Golden Hurricane have a chance to add another NIT title to their history, which would be their first since 2001.