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