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Kentucky snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in their 89-84 overtime victory against Santa Clara on Friday at the Enterprise Center.
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh made a layup to tie the game at 70-70 with nine seconds left in the second half. Santa Clara quickly rushed down the floor and Allen Graves drained a 3-pointer with just two seconds left to give them a 73-70 lead.
With no timeouts left, Kentucky inbounded the ball to Oweh, who sprinted down the floor and launched a 3-point shot from 32 feet away to try and tie the game and save the Wildcats’ season. Fortunately for Oweh, the bank was open when his shot hit the backboard and went through the net, tying the game at 73-73 and giving Kentucky new life at the buzzer.
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Kentucky’s Otega Oweh (00) is congratulated by teammates after sinking a basket at the end of regulation to force overtime in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Santa Clara in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP Photo)
Oweh told the CBS broadcast after the game that he was trying to get as close as possible to the basket when he shot it.
In overtime, Kentucky took advantage of their new life and moved on.
Oweh, brother of Washington Commander defensive end Odafe Oweh, was phenomenal in the win, scoring 35 points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.
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Kentucky’s Otega Oweh (00) celebrates after making a basket as teammate Kam Williams (3) and Santa Clara’s Elijah Mahi (8) look on during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 2026. (Ali Overstreet/AP Photo)
After the game, Oweh said it was the best game he had ever been a part of.
Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (16 points), forward Mouhamed Dioubate (17 points) and forward Brandon Garrison (10 points) all scored in double figures in the win.
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Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison (10) celebrates after dunking the ball as Santa Clara’s Christian Hammond (1) is seen in the background during overtime in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 2026. (Ali Overstreet/AP Photo)
Elijah Mahi led Santa Clara with 20 points in the loss.
Kentucky will play the winner of the No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 15 seed Tennessee State in the round of 16.
