INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Tulsa Golden Hurricane battled from opening tip to final horn in defeating New Mexico 74-69 Thursday night in the National Invitation Tournament semifinal from historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. 
 
Tulsa (30-7) advances to the NIT Championship game and will face Auburn on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.  
 
The Golden Hurricane are the third American Conference team (SMU 2014, Memphis 2021 Champions) to play for the NIT title, while Tulsa seeks its third NIT title in program history (1981, 2001). 
 
Key runs late in each half proved to be the difference for Tulsa. Trailing by one with under three minutes to play, an 8-0 run to end the first half gave the Golden Hurricane a 36-29 lead at the break.  
 
After New Mexico tied the game at 59-all with just over five minutes remaining in the game, an 8-0 run, with every point scored by Tyren Riley, gave Tulsa a 67-59 lead with just over two minutes to play. New Mexico cut the lead to three points down the stretch but would get no closer. 
 
The Golden Hurricane felt right at home in Hinkle, as Tulsa had 17 assists on its 24 made shots, including 12 from three-point range.  
 
David Green led five Tulsa players in double figures with 13 points. Ade Popoola scored 12 points, Miles Barnstable 11 points, and Riley and Jaylen Lawal scoring 10 points apiece.