(BCSNN) — Tulsa is headed back to the NIT semifinals, and it earned the trip by surviving a furious late push from one of its oldest rivals.

The Golden Hurricane held off Wichita State 83–79 on Tuesday night at the Reynolds Center, advancing to the tournament’s final four for the third time in program history. Tulsa won the NIT the last two times it reached this stage.

Miles Barnstable led Tulsa (—) with 24 points, hitting five 3‑pointers and adding seven free throws. Tylen Riley added 21 points and six assists while going a perfect 8‑for‑8 at the line. Ade Popoola scored 12 points with three threes, and David Green contributed six rebounds and five points.

Tulsa controlled the opening half, racing out to a 12–2 lead behind Popoola’s early three and Green’s fast‑break dunk. Wichita State struggled to generate offense, managing just one early three‑pointer and relying heavily on free throws to stay within reach. Riley’s jumper in the final minute sent the Golden Hurricane into halftime with a commanding 52–36 lead.

Wichita State (—) responded after the break. Dillon Battie opened the half with two free throws, and Kenyon Giles sparked a surge with a three and a transition layup. The Shockers continued to chip away, eventually pulling within a single possession in the closing minutes.

Barnstable steadied Tulsa with two free throws at the 3:21 mark, and Riley sealed the win with clutch foul shooting in the final seconds. The Golden Hurricane finished the night 20‑for‑22 from the line.

Tulsa will face New Mexico on Thursday, April 4, with a berth in the NIT Championship on the line.