TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa and Wichita State produced an instant classic in the National Invitational Tournament quarterfinal, with the Golden Hurricane holding off the Shockers 83-79. 

Tulsa (29-7) lost a 24-point first half lead but withstood the Shock and Awe of the Wichita State rally as the Golden Hurricane (29-7) advanced to the NIT semifinals for the first time since 2001 when they won the title. Tulsa will face New Mexico on April 2 in Indianapolis. 

The fourth meeting between the teams this season and the 148th matchup overall of these longtime rivals did not disappoint. Tulsa led 30-6 just eight minutes into the game. Powered by 10 three-pointers, the Hurricane led 52-36 at halftime. 

The Shockers (24-12) rode late first-half momentum into intermission and out of the locker room, cutting the deficit to seven at 55-48 just over four minutes into the second half. Tulsa responded, pushing the lead back to 12 at 64-52 with just over 11 minutes remaining. 

From there, the Shockers came all the way back, tying the game twice before taking their first lead at 70-68 with 6:34 to play on a pair of free throws by T.J. Williams. There were four additional ties and three more lead changes over the next three minutes before a pair of free throws by Miles Barnstable gave Tulsa the lead for good at 75-74 with 3:21 remaining. 

Barnstable scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and made five of Tulsa’s 12 three-pointers. Tylen Riley scored 21 points with six rebounds and six assists, and Ade Popoola scored 12 for the Hurricane. 

Williams led Wichita State with 19 points and eight rebounds off the bench in only 23 minutes. Dillon Battie scored 17 points with seven rebounds, Karon Boyd 13 points with six rebounds, and Kenyon Giles 12 points for the Shockers.