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Tulsa Knocks Off New Mexico, Sending The Hurricane To The NIT Championship Game

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — Tulsa’s remarkable season somehow found another gear Thursday night — and now the Golden Hurricane are headed to the NIT Championship in one of the most unexpected postseason runs of the year.

Tulsa held off New Mexico 74–69 in the semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, earning its 30th win of the season, a milestone reached by only nine teams in American Conference history. For a program that wasn’t expected to be here, the Golden Hurricane continue to defy every projection.

Ade Popoola knocked down four 3‑pointers on his way to 12 points and six rebounds, while David Green delivered 13 points, going 7‑for‑8 at the line and blocking two shots. Tylen Riley added 10 points and a team‑high five assists, and Tyler Behrend grabbed eight rebounds while contributing seven points and two steals.

Tulsa came out firing, opening the game with a David Green layup assisted by Behrend. The Golden Hurricane leaned on their perimeter shooting early, with Miles Barnstable and Popoola each connecting from deep. New Mexico briefly surged ahead behind two Uriah Tenette threes, but Tulsa answered emphatically. Jaylen Lawal buried back‑to‑back triples in the closing minutes of the half, sending Tulsa into the locker room with a surprising 36–29 lead.

The second half brought more of the same: Tulsa refusing to blink.

Green scored just 28 seconds into the period, and despite New Mexico’s Jake Hall hitting a quick three, Tulsa maintained control with timely stops — including a highlight block from Barnstable at 16:07. Behrend’s fast‑break layup at 17:19 helped steady the momentum as New Mexico tried to claw back.

Hall’s free throws at 15:42 cut the margin to four, but Tulsa’s poise never wavered. The Golden Hurricane answered every push, protected the ball, and closed the game with the composure of a team that suddenly looks built for championship moments.

Tulsa now advances to Sunday’s NIT title game, where it will face the winner of Auburn vs. Illinois State — a matchup few expected when the postseason began, but one Tulsa has earned every step of the way.