Auburn
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (04/04/2026) — Kevin Overton’s clutch three-pointer with eight seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime, paving the way for the Auburn Tigers to secure a hard-fought 92-86 victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.
Overton finished with a team-high 26 points, while guard Tahaad Pettiford orchestrated the offense with 24 points and a game-high eight assists. The Tigers survived a furious second-half comeback from Tulsa, who erased a 17-point halftime deficit to push the game to the brink.
How It Happened
Auburn stormed out of the gates, establishing an immediate offensive rhythm. Filip Jovic set the tone with a pair of dunks in the opening two minutes, and the Tigers’ long-range shooting quickly created separation. Pettiford connected on a 24-foot three-pointer less than three minutes into the game, sparking a barrage that defined the half. Sebastian Williams-Adams and Pettiford added deep threes of their own, pushing Auburn's lead to 23-7 by the 11:25 mark.
The Tigers continued to pour it on, with Overton joining the action with a 25-foot jumper. A late dunk from Williams-Adams, assisted by Pettiford, sent Auburn into the locker room with a commanding 48-31 lead.
Tulsa emerged from halftime a different team. The Golden Hurricane methodically chipped away at the lead, fueled by the aggressive scoring of David Green and Tylen Riley. After trailing by as many as 18, Tulsa mounted its charge. A three-pointer from David Green with 11:53 on the clock cut the deficit to just five, and another from Miles Barnstable made it a 59-57 game moments later. The comeback was complete at the 9:26 mark when a Tylen Riley 25-footer gave Tulsa its first lead of the contest, 64-61.
The final minutes of regulation were a back-and-forth affair. Tulsa held a 76-71 lead with just over a minute to play before a Pettiford three cut it to two. Down 78-75, Auburn put the ball in the hands of its top scorer, and Overton delivered the game-tying three-pointer to send the 9,670 fans into a frenzy and the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Tulsa scored first, but a dunk from Pettiford just over a minute later gave Auburn a lead it would not relinquish, as the Tigers executed down the stretch to close out the win.
Turning Point
The undisputed turning point came with just eight seconds left in the second half. Trailing 78-75, Auburn needed a miracle. Tahaad Pettiford found Kevin Overton, who calmly drained a 23-foot jumper to tie the score at 78-78. The shot completely shifted the momentum, snatching victory away from Tulsa and giving the Tigers new life, which they capitalized on in the overtime period.
Star of the Game
While Tahaad Pettiford was magnificent with his 24 points and 8 assists, the honor goes to Kevin Overton. The guard was Auburn’s most reliable scorer, finishing with a team-high 26 points. His performance was defined by the single most important shot of the night—the three-pointer that forced overtime. He consistently delivered from long range and was the offensive anchor Auburn needed to survive Tulsa’s comeback bid.
What It Means
For the Auburn Tigers, the victory is a significant display of resilience and offensive firepower. Overcoming a late-game deficit to win in overtime demonstrates the team's composure under pressure. With a 41% mark from three-point range and 19 team assists, Auburn showcased the balanced attack that makes it a tough opponent.
For the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, it’s a difficult loss after a spectacular comeback effort. The performances of David Green (25 points, 6 rebounds) and Tylen Riley (20 points) proved they could go toe-to-toe with elite competition. Despite falling short, Tulsa’s second-half performance showed the team's potent offensive capability and fight.