Overton’s Heroics Lift Auburn Past Tulsa in OT Thriller, Tigers Capture First NIT Championship

Kevin Overton delivers clutch shots in regulation and overtime as Auburn rallies to a dramatic 92-86 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

In a game defined by resilience, clutch shooting, and late-game chaos, the Auburn Tigers men's basketball captured the 2026 National Invitation Tournament championship with a thrilling 92-86 overtime victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball on Sunday night.

At the center of it all was Kevin Overton.

With Auburn trailing in the final seconds of regulation, Overton drilled a game-tying 3-pointer with just eight seconds remaining, sending the championship game into overtime. Then, in a moment that will live in Auburn postseason lore, Overton buried a deep 40-footer in overtime to give the Tigers the separation they needed to secure the program’s first-ever NIT title.

“Trusting my work… I was ready for the moment,” Overton said after being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The victory capped a rollercoaster night for Auburn, which built a commanding early lead, saw it evaporate during a second-half surge by Tulsa, and then regrouped under pressure to close out the game in extra time.

Auburn appeared in full control early, taking a 48-31 halftime lead behind hot shooting and suffocating defense. The Tigers extended that lead to 20 points early in the second half, but Tulsa stormed back with a stunning 22-2 run, flipping the game and forcing Auburn into a late-game scramble.

That’s when Overton—and Auburn’s composure—took over.

After Tulsa grabbed a late lead, Auburn responded with critical possessions down the stretch. Following a missed free throw and a defensive stop, the Tigers forced a five-second inbound violation, setting up the final play in regulation. Tahaad Pettiford found Overton in the corner, and the junior guard delivered the shot that changed everything.

In overtime, Auburn faced additional adversity, playing undersized after multiple players fouled out. Still, the Tigers found a way.

Overton’s deep three gave Auburn a crucial cushion, while Sebastian Williams-Adams and Elyjah Freeman added key free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. The Tigers leaned on grit, execution, and timely shot-making to outlast a Tulsa team that refused to back down.

Overton finished with 26 points, knocking down five 3-pointers, while Pettiford added 24 points and eight assists in a dynamic backcourt performance. Freeman contributed on the glass with 14 rebounds, and Auburn’s balanced scoring attack helped offset foul trouble in the closing minutes.

For first-year head coach Steven Pearl, the championship marks a defining milestone and a statement about the team’s character.

“This group stayed together… they showed resilience,” Pearl said. “They found a way.”

The win not only delivers Auburn its first NIT championship but also provides critical momentum heading into the offseason. After navigating adversity throughout the season, the Tigers closed strong—winning five consecutive games in the tournament and proving their ability to compete under pressure.

For Tulsa, the loss caps an impressive run but leaves behind a game defined by missed opportunities in the closing seconds of regulation.

For Auburn, however, the night belongs to Overton—and a team that refused to fold.

From a near-collapse to a championship celebration, the Tigers authored one of the most dramatic finishes of the postseason, proving that in March, it only takes one shot to change everything.

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-- By Maskaela P. Rawls and Andréa Mochida

Frank Atkinson contributed to this article.

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