Auburn wins first NIT title in overtime thriller
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Indianapolis. Auburn defeated Tulsa 92-86 in overtime on Sunday to capture the program’s first National Invitation Tournament championship, with Kevin Overton scoring 26 points and Tahaad Pettiford adding 24 and a late inbounding violation by Tulsa forcing overtime. The game was tied after regulation following Overton's baseline 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining.
Auburn's victory on Sunday boosts the Tigers' postseason pedigree and provides momentum for offseason recruiting and program visibility; Tulsa's runners-up finish highlighted Ade Popoola's scoring and the team's late-game execution issues, prompting likely review ahead of conference play next season in April.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Regular season established Auburn and Tulsa records and statistical trends.
- 2. Media previews published team statistics and top performers ahead of the NIT matchup.
- 3. Regulation ended tied after Overton’s baseline 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining.
- 4. Tulsa committed a five-second inbound violation late in regulation, forcing overtime.
- 5. Auburn outscored Tulsa in overtime and won 92-86, securing its first NIT championship.
Why it matters
Auburn's first NIT championship is a landmark in college basketball. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. If you're an Auburn fan, this is a moment to celebrate. If you're a basketball enthusiast, it's a reminder of the thrill and unpredictability of the game.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
