KEY POINTS
- Auburn secured a dominant 86-64 victory over Illinois State in the NIT semifinals.
- Four different Tigers players reached double-digit scoring in a balanced offensive performance.
- The Tigers now advance to the championship game held in Las Vegas this Sunday.
The Auburn Tigers earned a place in the NIT championship game with a convincing win on Thursday. They defeated Illinois State 86-64 during the semifinal round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This victory marks the first time in program history that Auburn has reached the NIT final.
Auburn established control of the game early with a potent offensive display in the first half. The Tigers built a significant 48-30 lead before the teams went to the locker rooms. Their defensive pressure also played a major role in limiting the scoring opportunities for Illinois State.
Pettiford led the scoring for the Tigers with a game-high 17 points during the contest. He also contributed six assists and four rebounds to help orchestrate the team’s efficient offensive rhythm. His leadership on the court kept the Tigers focused as they maintained their double-digit advantage.
Three other Auburn players provided strong support by scoring at least ten points each. Mitchell and Moore both finished the night with 11 points to bolster the starting lineup. Pettiford the younger added another 10 points to ensure a balanced scoring attack throughout the game.
The Tigers demonstrated impressive accuracy from the field throughout the entire matchup in Las Vegas. They converted nearly 55 percent of their total shots against the Illinois State defense. Auburn also found success from beyond the arc by making 10 of their 23 three-point attempts.
Illinois State struggled to find consistent scoring answers against a disciplined Auburn defensive unit. Banks led the Redbirds with 13 points while Lieb and Kasubke each added 11 points. Despite these individual efforts, the team could not overcome the early scoring deficit created by the Tigers.
The Redbirds finish their season with a respectable 20-17 overall record following this semifinal loss. Their journey to the NIT final four included several hard-fought victories over higher-seeded opponents. However, the size and speed of the Auburn roster proved too much to handle on Thursday.
Auburn will now prepare to face either Rutgers or Creighton in the championship final this Sunday. The game will take place at the T-Mobile Arena as the tournament moves to a larger venue. The Tigers are seeking their first major postseason title under their current coaching staff.
The team has shown remarkable resilience since their early exit from the NCAA tournament last month. Players have cited a desire to end their season with a trophy as a primary motivation. This momentum will be tested one final time in the desert.
