Overview
- Auburn beat Tulsa 92-86 in overtime on Sunday in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to clinch the 2026 NIT championship.
- The Tigers built a 21-point lead, absorbed a 22-2 Tulsa run, and forced overtime when Kevin Overton hit a tying 3-pointer with eight seconds left.
- Overton led Auburn with 26 points, and Tahaad Pettiford added 24 points and eight assists as the Tigers controlled the extra period.
- Tulsa’s David Green scored 25 points and Tylen Riley added 20 as the Golden Hurricane, 30-8 this season, came up short of a third NIT crown.
- Auburn entered the NIT as the top overall seed after missing the NCAA Tournament, and this first program title gives Pearl real momentum into the offseason.