The Tigers advance for the first time, riding strong performances from Jović and Pettiford
Category: Sports
AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Tigers made history on March 25, 2026, by defeating the Nevada Wolf Pack 75-69 at Neville Arena, securing a spot at the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) semifinals for the first time ever. This victory also marked the fifth consecutive season that Auburn has achieved at least 20 wins, a program record.
Head coach Steven Pearl praised his team’s defensive efforts, saying, "Defensively, for the first 30 minutes, we did a lot of good things and made a lot of improvement." He added, "It’s not the tournament we want to be playing but our guys have done a great job of using this platform and this opportunity to go out there and hoop. I’m really proud of them for that and it’s something we can build on."
Filip Jović led the Tigers with an impressive performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds, making 9 of 12 shots. Jović noted the importance of listening to his coaches, stating, "I listen to my coaches, I understand everything.
"I looked to make the right play" when faced with double teams, he added. His ability to adapt during the game was a key factor, especially when he noted how he was able to find open teammates when Nevada adjusted their defense.
Tahaad Pettiford also had a standout game, scoring 16 points and dishing out a game-high six assists. He expressed the team's determination, saying, "That’s why we’re here. Our goal is to win it all, so that’s what we’re here to do. I can’t wait to go play another game with them."
Elyjah Freeman contributed 15 points and played the entire 40 minutes, demonstrating his stamina and commitment. Keyshawn Hall added 14 points and six rebounds, rounding out a strong offensive showing from Auburn.
The Tigers controlled the game from the outset, leading by 12 points at halftime. Jović’s two quick dunks early into the second half pushed Auburn’s lead to 15 points, but Nevada fought back with a 7-0 run to close the gap to eight points with just over seven minutes remaining.
Even with the Wolf Pack’s late surge, Auburn maintained composure. Hall’s reverse layup and Pettiford's 3-point play helped restore a 13-point lead shortly thereafter. Yet, Nevada did not go quietly, cutting the lead to six points with 4:41 left on the clock. After a missed opportunity from Nevada, Freeman responded with a dunk, extending Auburn's lead to 63-55.
Freeman's performance was particularly noted by Pearl, who commented, "He’s been great. I loved a lot of the aggressive drives he makes. He did a great job late of getting to the rim and finishing. I’m proud of him for continuing to step up and show what he’s capable of."
On the other side, Nevada’s Elijah Price had a standout game, leading his team with 22 points and 11 rebounds, achieving his 12th double-double of the season. Vaughn Weems added 15 points, and Corey Camper Jr. chipped 13 points, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Auburn's strong performance.
Nevada shot 46% from the field and 35% from three-point range but struggled to keep pace with Auburn, which shot 49% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Price also made his mark defensively, blocking four shots, and Tayshawn Comer contributed two steals.
The game was characterized by Auburn's early dominance, where they quickly established an eight-point lead. Nevada attempted to respond, cutting the deficit to four points with a second-chance layup, but Auburn's strong run built a 16-point lead at one point, forcing Nevada to call a timeout.
By halftime, Auburn led 38-26, with Jović contributing significantly to the scoreline. His performance was complemented by Hall, who hit key shots to maintain Auburn's momentum. The Tigers' defense was also notable, limiting Nevada to just two successful three-point attempts out of 13.
Throughout the game, Auburn showcased their depth and teamwork, with four players scoring double figures. This collective effort is a hallmark of the Tigers’ season, which has seen them advance through the NIT with impressive teamwork, averaging 14.7 assists per game over three tournament matches.
With the victory, Auburn's record improved to 20-16, and they will face Illinois State (23-12) next Thursday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. CT at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis. The winner will advance to the NIT championship on Easter Sunday.
Jeff Shearer, a senior writer at AuburnTigers.com, noted that Auburn’s five consecutive 20-win seasons is a remarkable achievement for the program. The Tigers have also extended their nation-best non-conference home winning streak to 67 games.
Filip Jović's performance was particularly impressive, marking his second-highest scoring output of the season and his sixth time reaching double figures. Meanwhile, Pettiford is now just 11 points away from reaching 1,000 career points.
Auburn's next challenge will be to maintain their momentum against Illinois State, with the Tigers eager to continue their historic run. With a commitment to teamwork and a strong defensive strategy, they aim to capitalize on this opportunity and make their mark on the tournament.
For Auburn, this victory signifies a step forward and sets the stage for what could be a memorable NIT run, and the players are ready to embrace the challenge head-on.
"We’re ready to go to Indiana and finish business," Pettiford stated, encapsulating the team's focus and determination.