Auburn Blows a 21-Point Lead, Then Wins It All in Overtime: Kevin Overton's Two Final Minutes Change Everything

Auburn just pulled off the kind of comeback that makes you want to flip the table and then jump out of your seat at the same time. Down 21 points at halftime, the Tigers clawed their way back against Tulsa to win the NIT championship 92-86 in overtime on Sunday night in Indianapolis. This wasn't some blowout. This was a punch-you-in-the-gut, keep-fighting, refuse-to-lose kind of game.

The Collapse That Almost Wasn't

Auburn (22-16) came out hot early. With Charles Barkley watching courtside, freshman bruiser Filip Jovic started with back-to-back dunks, and the Tigers jumped to a 9-2 lead just over two minutes in. Sebastian Williams-Adams hit a 3-pointer at the 13:58 mark to push it to 16-4. By halftime, Auburn was up 48-31 and shooting 51.7% from the field. You're thinking, "game over, right?" Wrong.

Tulsa (30-8) absolutely exploded in the second half. The Golden Hurricane, a two-time NIT champion, unleashed a devastating 22-2 run that flipped the entire game on its head. David Green's three-point play got things rolling, and then Tylen Riley's spinning layup forced an Auburn timeout. Miles Barnstable's 3-pointer, Green's two free throws, and Riley's pair from the line finished the run. With 10:26 left in regulation, Tulsa was up 61-59. Auburn's 21-point cushion? Gone.

Overton Steps Up When It Matters Most

This is where Kevin Overton became the guy nobody will forget about. After Auburn forced a turnover on an inbounds play while down three, Overton drilled a corner 3-pointer to tie it at 78-all and force overtime. Then in the extra frame, he went to work. Overton finished with 26 points, including that deep 3-pointer and a free throw in the final two minutes of OT.

Auburn outscored Tulsa 14-8 in overtime to close it out. Tahaad Pettiford had 24 points and eight assists. Elyjah Freeman pulled down 14 rebounds and nailed two crucial free throws with 11 seconds left in OT. For Tulsa, David Green had 25 points, Tylen Riley added 20, and Ade Popoola scored 13. But it wasn't enough.

Auburn's first NIT title is in the books. For a team that made the Final Four just a year ago, this is a statement: they found a way when it mattered most.

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