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  • Steven Pearl's Auburn Tigers Gut Out A 75-69 Win Over Nevada To Reach The NIT Semifinal

Steven Pearl's Auburn Tigers Gut Out A 75-69 Win Over Nevada To Reach The NIT Semifinal

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — Auburn is headed to the NIT semifinals for the first time, and it earned the milestone with a gritty 75–69 win over Nevada on Wednesday night at Neville Arena. The victory also secured the Tigers’ fifth straight 20‑win season, extending one of the most consistent stretches in program history.

Filip Jovic powered Auburn (20–16) with 18 points and nine rebounds, shooting 9‑for‑12 from the field and anchoring the Tigers on both ends. Tahaad Pettiford added 16 points and a game‑high six assists, while Elyjah Freeman scored 15 points and played all 40 minutes. Keyshawn Hall contributed 14 points and six rebounds.

“Defensively, for the first 30 minutes, we did a lot of good things and made a lot of improvement,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said. “It’s not the tournament we want to be playing, but our guys have used this opportunity to go out there and hoop. I’m really proud of them.”

Auburn led 38–26 at halftime after a dominant first‑half stretch that included a 13–1 run capped by a Freeman three‑pointer. Jovic scored 12 points before the break, repeatedly punishing Nevada inside and passing out of double teams to find open shooters.

The Tigers pushed the lead to 15 early in the second half with back‑to‑back Jovic dunks, but Nevada (24–13) refused to fade. The Wolf Pack used a 7–0 run to cut the deficit to eight with just over seven minutes remaining. Hall answered with a reverse layup, and Pettiford converted a three‑point play to restore a 13‑point cushion.

Nevada made one final push, trimming the margin to six with 4:41 left. After an Auburn turnover, the Wolf Pack missed an open corner three, and Freeman responded with a dunk to steady the Tigers. Pettiford then forced a steal and fed Hall for a transition dunk that pushed the lead back to double digits.

Freeman delivered eight points in the final four minutes to help Auburn close out the win.

“He’s been great,” Pearl said. “He did a great job late of getting to the rim and finishing. I’m proud of him for continuing to step up.”

Nevada’s Elijah Price posted a 22‑point, 11‑rebound double‑double in the loss.

Auburn will face Illinois State (23–12) in the NIT semifinals on Thursday, April 2 at 8:30 p.m. CT at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The winner advances to the NIT championship game on Easter Sunday.