Tulsa vs. Auburn live score, updates, highlights from NIT championship game

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Apr 6, 2026 - 07:30
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Tulsa vs. Auburn live score, updates, highlights from NIT championship game

Tulsa vs. Auburn live score, updates, highlights from NIT championship game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NIT championship is set between Auburn and Tulsa who could’ve both been argued as NCAA Tournament teams leading up to selection Sunday as they both consistently sat on the bubble.

Coming into the title game, Tulsa has had close call after close call with three of their four wins coming within five points. On the other end, Auburn is coming off of a lopsided win against Illinois State in the semifinal 88-66.

Tulsa has played one Power Conference team all season in Kansas State and came away with a loss. Auburn is 10-0 against non-Power Conference teams.

Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET 

2026 NIT Championship Game 1st Half 2nd HalfTotal

No. 1 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

313364

No. 1 Auburn Tigers

481361

Tulsa vs. Auburn live updates, highlights from 2026 NIT Championship game

2nd half

Tulsa is shooting 4-6 from three while Auburn is 1-5. 

10:26 Tylen Riley sinks both free throws to give Tulsa their first lead of the game.

David Green evens up the game going 2-2 from the free throw line

11:14 Miles Barnstable hits a 3-pointer. Auburn lead cut down to 2 points.

11:53 David Green hits a 3-pointer (21 points) to bring the deficit to 5 points.

12:55 Auburn calls TIMEOUT following a 10-0 run from Tulsa to bring the deficit to 8 points.

14:06 Tulsa is on a 10-2 run capped off by David green getting fouled and one. Auburn up 12.

16:06 Ade Popoola hits a 3 pointer to cut the Auburn lead to 16

Auburn picks up where they left off with seven points in the first three minutes of the half 

Halftime update:

It was all Auburn in the first half of the NIT championship as they lead over Tulsa by 17 points. Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton combined for 29 points to lead all scorers. Auburn is shooting 52% from the field and 46% from deep, while Tulsa has had the lid on the basket all first half, shooting just 38% overall and 1-10 from three point range. Auburn has the advantage over Tulsa in rebounds (19-11), assists (8-3), steals (5-2), and blocks (2-1). Their largest lead of the game was 21 points.

1st half

Auburn finishes the first half up 17 points. Tahaad Pettiford (15 points) and Kevin Overton (14 points) are the teams highest scorers.

2:38  Tulsa has made 6 of their last 7 shots

Since Tulsa's 2-15 shooting start, they've since gone 4-4

7:19 Jaylen Lawal makes the first three pointer of the game for Tulsa, bringing their outside shooting to 1-9

8:14 Auburn's lead opens up to 20 with Kevin Overton sinking two free throws

Tulsa is now shooting 2-13 (0-7 from three)

11:53 Official TV timeout comes in the midst of an 11-1 Auburn run. 

Tulsa is now 0-6 from three to start the game. 

13:55 Auburns run to start the game extends 16-4 with four of five starters scoring

Tahaad Pettiford and Filip Jovic lead Auburn to a 9-2 run to start the game.

20:00 Auburn wins the tip and Tahaad Pettiford is fouled on the first three point shot of the game.

Pre-game notes:

Auburn and Tulsa met previously in the 2009 NIT tournament, where the Tigers came out with a 74-55 victory. Auburn was the highest-seeded team in that tournament as well.

Auburn notes:

  • Auburn has not lost a mid-major team all year (10-0)
  • 332-287 (+45) scoring margin during NIT run
  • 8-6 record over seven NIT appearances (last appered in 2009)
  • Highest ranked team in the NIT on KenPom (37th)
  • Defeated South Alabama, Seattle, Nevada, and Illinois State to advance to NIT final
  • Snapped four year streak of NCAA Tournament appearances

Tulsa notes:

  • Tulsa is 0-1 against their only Power Conference opponent this season (84-83 loss to Kansas State)
  • 323-298 (+25) scoring margin over NIT run
  • 16-8 record over 11 NIT appearances (last appeared in 2015)
  • 56th ranked team on KenPom
  • Defeated SFA, UNLV, Wichita State, and New Mexico before NIT final
  • 30 win season marks highest in program history
  • Two time NIT champion (1981, 2001)

Starters for Tulsa and Auburn

Tulsa

Tyler Behrend

David Green

Ade Popoola

Miles Barnstable

Tylen Riley

Auburn

Filip Jovic

Keyshawn Hall

Elyjah Freeman

Kevin Overton

Tahaad Pettiford

What channel is Tulsa vs. Auburn on today

Tulsa vs. Auburn How to Watch
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Gainbridge Fieldhouse- Indianapolis, IN
TV: ESPN2  (Available on FuboTV)

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