KEY POINTS
- Tulsa secured a 74-69 victory against New Mexico at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
- Forward David Green led the Golden Hurricane with 13 points in his return from injury.
- The win marks Tulsa’s 30th victory of the season and their first NIT final since 2001.
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane earned a spot in the NIT championship game with a hard-fought 74-69 win over the New Mexico Lobos on Thursday night. Playing at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, Tulsa relied on balanced scoring and timely defense to overcome a determined opponent. This victory moves the Golden Hurricane to a 30-7 record for the 2025-26 season.
Forward David Green provided a massive boost for Tulsa in his return to the rotation. After missing time due to injury, he finished the night with 13 points and five rebounds. His presence in the paint helped the Golden Hurricane maintain their composure during critical stretches of the second half.
Guard Ade Popoola contributed 12 points, including several vital three-pointers that prevented New Mexico from sustaining momentum. Miles Barnstable also reached double figures with 11 points for the winning side. Tylen Riley proved essential in the closing moments by scoring Tulsa’s final seven points of the contest.
New Mexico kept the game competitive throughout the night behind a strong performance from freshman Jake Hall. Hall scored 18 points, setting a program record for points by a freshman in a single season. Center JT Rock provided scoring off the bench with 16 points and six rebounds for the Lobos.
The game featured several momentum swings as both teams fought for a trip to the final. Tulsa utilized an 8-0 run late in the first half to secure a 36-29 lead at the break. New Mexico responded in the second half, eventually tying the score at 59-59 with five minutes remaining.
Tulsa regained control with another 8-0 run to build a late eight-point advantage. While New Mexico hit a late triple to trim the deficit to three points, they could not close the gap in the final minute. The Golden Hurricane successfully converted their free throws to seal the win.
This loss ends a successful debut season for New Mexico under head coach Eric Olen. The Lobos finish with 26 wins, the second-most ever for a first-year coach in program history. Their run to the NIT semifinals showcased the rapid development of their young roster.
Tulsa now prepares for the NIT title game scheduled for this Sunday against the Auburn Tigers. The Golden Hurricane are seeking their third NIT championship in school history. Their previous titles came in 1981 and 2001, making this their first final appearance in 25 years.
