Auburn Wins First-Ever NIT Championship in OT Thriller

Auburn basketball just wrote a new chapter in its history books, claiming the program's first-ever National Invitational Tournament championship with a thrilling 92-86 overtime victory against Tulsa.

The Tigers earned their spot in the finals the hard way, winning six consecutive games over three weeks. Their tournament run began March 17 with a home victory over South Alabama and culminated April 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where they outlasted a determined Tulsa squad that refused to quit.

Both teams entered the championship game as No. 1 seeds in their respective brackets, setting up a finals matchup between the tournament's top programs. Auburn built momentum throughout March, defeating Seattle University and Nevada in close contests before dominating Illinois State 88-66 in the semifinals.

Tulsa matched Auburn's intensity every step of the way. The Golden Hurricane knocked off Wichita State and New Mexico before edging Illinois State to reach the championship game, proving themselves worthy opponents for the title.

The championship game lived up to its billing as regulation time couldn't separate the two teams. In the extra period, Auburn found another gear and outscored Tulsa to seal the historic victory.

The Ripple Effect

This championship represents more than just a trophy for Auburn's basketball program. The NIT, which began in 1938, gives teams outside the NCAA Tournament spotlight a chance to end their season on a winning note and build momentum for future years.

For Auburn's players, coaches, and fans, this tournament run created memories that will last a lifetime. The team showed resilience through six pressure-packed games, growing closer with each victory and learning how to win when the stakes are highest.

The championship also puts Auburn basketball on the national stage in a new way. Programs that capture NIT titles often use that success as a springboard, attracting recruits and building confidence that carries into future seasons.

Auburn now joins an elite group of schools that have claimed college basketball's second-oldest postseason tournament, adding their name to a championship list that includes basketball legends and program builders from nearly nine decades of competition.