INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and a relentless back-and-forth battle, the Auburn Tigers outlasted the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 92-86 in overtime in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

A crowd of 9,670 watched as Auburn squandered a commanding 17-point halftime lead, survived a furious Tulsa rally to force an extra period, and then dominated the overtime session to secure the victory. The win improved Auburn’s record to 22-16, while Tulsa, which had won 30 of its previous 37 games, fell to 30-8.

The contest turned on a stunning second-half reversal. Auburn, led by the dynamic guard play of Tahaad Pettiford and the scoring of Kevin Overton, controlled the first half with efficient offense and disruptive defense. The Tigers shot out to a 48-31 lead at the break, capitalizing on early Tulsa turnovers and missed shots. Pettiford orchestrated the offense with eight assists in the game, while Overton, a 6-foot-5 guard from Oklahoma City, provided a consistent scoring threat on his way to a team-high 26 points.

The second half, however, belonged almost entirely to Tulsa and its star forward David Green. The 6-foot-7 junior from Apopka, Florida, erupted, scoring 20 of his game-high 25 points after halftime. Tulsa’s defensive intensity skyrocketed, holding Auburn to just 30 points in the period after yielding 48 in the first. The Golden Hurricane methodically chipped away at the deficit, with guard Tylen Riley adding crucial buckets to finish with 20 points.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation. Trailing 78-75, Auburn’ Kevin Overton hit a deep, contested 3-pointer with just eight seconds remaining to tie the game at 78. Tulsa had a final chance to win in regulation, but Ade Popoola’s pull-up jumper missed as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

The emotional lift from Overton’s clutch shot carried Auburn into the extra period. The Tigers scored the first six points of overtime and never looked back, outscoring Tulsa 14-8 in the five-minute session. Sebastian Williams-Adams was pivotal in the overtime, scoring five of his 13 points, including a layup off a Pettiford assist that gave Auburn an 80-78 lead it would not relinquish. Pettiford, who finished with 24 points, added a driving dunk to extend the lead, and Overton sealed the game with a key 3-pointer and late free throws.

Tulsa, which had shown tremendous resilience to force overtime, ran out of gas and answers in the final period. The Golden Hurricane managed only two field goals in overtime, both from Tylen Riley, and committed a costly turnover by David Green that led to a transition basket for Auburn.

Beyond the star performances, Auburn received significant contributions from Filip Jovic of Belgrade, Serbia, who scored 12 points, and Keyshawn Hall, who added 11 points and nine rebounds. For Tulsa, Ade Popoola scored 13 points and Tyler Behrend added nine points and key interior play.

The game’s statistical narrative highlighted the stark contrast between halves. Auburn’s first-half offensive explosion, where they built their large lead, was countered by a stifling Tulsa defense after halftime. The Tigers ultimately made enough plays in the closing moments of regulation and in overtime to avoid a collapse. The result defied the pregame expectations of a close Auburn victory, but followed the script in a far more turbulent and dramatic fashion than the 4.5-point spread suggested.

The victory provides a positive conclusion to Auburn’s season, while Tulsa’s remarkable campaign, which included several overtime victories, ends with a hard-fought defeat in Indianapolis.