Auburn Blows a 21-Point Lead, Then Wins It All in Overtime Against Tulsa for the NIT Championship

Auburn just pulled off one of the wildest comebacks you'll ever see in a championship game. Down to the wire, overtime, and everything on the line, the Tigers erased a 21-point first-half lead they'd squandered, forced overtime at 78-all, and then outscored Tulsa 14-8 in the extra frame to win their first NIT title, 92-86, on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Yeah. First NIT championship in program history. That's what we're talking about here.

Kevin Overton Keeps Auburn Alive When It Matters Most

Kevin Overton was the closer Auburn needed. The guard dropped 26 points total, and when it mattered most, he was deadly. Down three with the game slipping away in regulation, Overton drilled a corner 3-pointer to force overtime at 78-all. Then in the extra frame, he added a deep 3 and a free throw in the final two minutes to seal it. That's what championship basketball looks like.

Tahaad Pettiford had 24 points and eight assists for the Tigers, while Sebastian Williams-Adams added 13. Elyjah Freeman was everywhere with 14 rebounds and six points, including two crucial free throws with 11 seconds left in overtime. Filip Jovic and Keyshawn Hall both put up solid numbers, Jovic with 12 points and Hall with 11 and 12 boards, but both fouled out late in regulation when Auburn needed them most.

Auburn Squanders a 17-Point Halftime Lead, Then Survives a Tulsa Blitz

Auburn (22-16) dominated the first half and led 48-31 at the break, shooting 51.7% from the field. But Tulsa (30-8), a two-time NIT champion, had other plans. The Golden Hurricane went on a brutal 22-2 run that flipped the entire game on its head. David Green sparked the comeback with a three-point play early in the second half, and Tylen Riley's spinning layup forced an Auburn timeout. By the time Miles Barnstable hit a three and Green added two free throws, Tulsa had built a 61-59 lead with the momentum completely on their side.

Green finished with 25 points and six rebounds for Tulsa, while Riley added 20 points. Ade Popoola chipped in 13 points for the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa looked like they had this thing won. And then Overton happened.

Auburn faces their next challenge soon. The Tigers proved Sunday night that even when everything goes wrong, they can find a way to win when it counts.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.