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.
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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 Half |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
No. 1 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes |
43 |
||
|
No. 1 Auburn Tigers |
27 |
Tulsa vs. Auburn live updates, highlights from 2026 NIT Championship game
1st half
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
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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.
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Auburn notes:
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Auburn has not lost a mid-major team all year (10-0)
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332-287 (+45) scoring margin during NIT run
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8-6 record over seven NIT appearances (last appered in 2009)
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Highest ranked team in the NIT on KenPom (37th)
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Defeated South Alabama, Seattle, Nevada, and Illinois State to advance to NIT final
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Snapped four year streak of NCAA Tournament appearances
Tulsa notes:
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Tulsa is 0-1 against their only Power Conference opponent this season (84-83 loss to Kansas State)
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323-298 (+25) scoring margin over NIT run
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16-8 record over 11 NIT appearances (last appeared in 2015)
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56th ranked team on KenPom
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Defeated SFA, UNLV, Wichita State, and New Mexico before NIT final
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30 win season marks highest in program history
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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)