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.

Michigan, UConn Set for National Championship Showdown After Wolverines’ Dominant March Run

Dusty May’s Wolverines head to Indianapolis chasing the program’s first NCAA title since 1989 as a heavyweight clash with UConn awaits on college basketball’s biggest stage.

After tearing through the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a string of commanding wins, the Michigan Wolverines are headed to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Monday night showdown against UConn in a title-game matchup that brings together two of the sport’s biggest brands, hottest teams, and most compelling postseason storylines.

Michigan enters the championship game at 36-3 overall after a dominant season that included a Big Ten regular-season title, a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and a march through the bracket that has turned the Wolverines into one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Ranked No. 3 nationally, Michigan has overwhelmed opponents with offensive firepower, depth, and pace, eclipsing 90 points in every NCAA Tournament game leading into the final.

That kind of consistency is rare this deep in March.

UCLA Dominates South Carolina to Capture First NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in Historic Fashion

Led by Gabriela Jaquez and a suffocating defense, the Bruins cap a 37-1 season with a commanding 79-51 title-game victory.

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball delivered a championship performance for the ages Sunday, dismantling the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball 79-51 to secure the program’s first-ever NCAA Women's Basketball Championship title.

From the opening tip, UCLA asserted total control—never trailing and showcasing the balance, depth, and defensive intensity that defined its near-perfect 37-1 campaign. The victory not only marks a historic milestone for the Bruins but also cements their place among the elite seasons in modern women’s college basketball.

Senior standout Gabriela Jaquez led the charge with 21 points on efficient shooting, setting the tone offensively while igniting transition opportunities. UCLA’s balanced attack proved overwhelming, with five players finishing in double figures, including Gianna Kneepkens (15 points), Lauren Betts (14 points, 11 rebounds), Charlisse Leger-Walker (10 points), and Kiki Rice (10 points).

Defensively, UCLA delivered a masterclass.

The Bruins suffocated South Carolina’s offense, holding the Gamecocks to just 25.7% shooting in the first half and forcing critical turnovers during a decisive third-quarter surge. UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in that period, effectively turning a competitive game into a rout.

Anchored by Lauren Betts in the paint, UCLA controlled the glass and protected the rim, while its perimeter defense disrupted rhythm and forced contested looks. The Gamecocks, one of the nation’s most dominant teams all season, found no answers against the Bruins’ relentless pressure.

Head coach Cori Close, in her 15th season, guided UCLA to its first NCAA-era title—adding to the program’s 1978 AIAW championship and delivering a defining moment in her tenure. The victory also contributes to UCLA’s legacy as one of the most decorated athletic programs in the nation.