Auburn defeats Illinois State 88 to 66 in NIT Semifinal Game - Advances to NIT championship game for the first time in program history

Auburn punched its ticket to the NIT Championship last night with a dominant 88–66 win over Illinois State, delivering one of its most complete performances of the season. The Tigers shot a blistering 61% from the field, buried 12 threes, and rode a 24‑point outburst from Keyshawn Hall to overwhelm the Redbirds and advance to Sunday's title game in Indianapolis.

Auburn entered its first-ever NIT Final Four appearance with momentum, but the Tigers elevated their play even further under the bright lights of Hinkle Fieldhouse. From the opening tip, Auburn's athleticism, pace, and shot-making overwhelmed Illinois State, building a 51–38 halftime lead and never looking back.

The Tigers' offensive rhythm was unmistakable:

- 61% shooting from the floor

- 12-of-21 from three

- 26 points off 18 forced turnovers

Auburn dictated tempo, punished mistakes, and consistently found high-quality looks.

Player of the Game: Keyshawn Hall

Hall delivered the kind of performance that defines postseason runs:

- 24 points (10-of-16 FG)

- Vocal leader throughout the NIT, and again the emotional engine of the team

His ability to score at all three levels kept Illinois State scrambling defensively.

Supporting Cast Steps Up

Auburn's depth shined in a game where everything clicked:

- Kevin Overton: 16 points, a perfect 5-for-5 from three, providing knockout shots whenever Illinois State threatened a run.

- Filip Jović: 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting, finishing strong around the rim.

- Tahaad Pettiford: 12 points, surpassing 1,000 career points at Auburn-a milestone moment in a postseason showcase.

Illinois State Couldn't Keep Pace

The Redbirds entered the game with one of the nation's top scoring defenses, but Auburn's pace and efficiency broke them open early.

- Chase Walker (13 pts) and Ty'Reek Coleman (17 pts) tried to keep ISU afloat, but the Tigers' runs-13–4, 15–5, and 16–5 at various points-proved too much.

Auburn's defensive pressure disrupted Illinois State's rhythm, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities.

What This Win Means

Auburn is now one win away from its first NIT Championship, heading across Indianapolis to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Sunday night's title matchup against Tulsa.

- Championship Game: Sunday, April 5

- Tipoff: 7 p.m. CT

- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse

- TV: ESPN2

This run has already made program history-Auburn's first trip to the NIT Final Four-and now the Tigers have a chance to finish the season with hardware.