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Kentucky was victorious despite the loss in its 89-84 overtime win over 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 the court and Allen Graves made a 3-pointer with just two seconds left to give them a 73-70 lead.
Kentucky had no timeouts left, so they fed the ball to Oweh, who sprinted up the floor and launched a 3-pointer from 32 feet to try to tie the game and save the Wildcats’ season. Luckily for Oweh, the bank was open, as his shot hit the backboard and sailed through the net, tying the game at 73-73 and giving Kentucky new life as the buzzer sounded.
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Kentucky’s Otega Oweh (00) is congratulated by his 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, March 20, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP Photo)
Oweh told the CBS broadcast after the game that as he approached, he was trying to get as close to the basket as possible when he shot it.
In overtime, Kentucky took advantage of its new life and moved on.
Oweh, the brother of Washington Commanders 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 teammates Kam Williams (3) and Santa Clara’s Elijah Mahi (8) during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, March 20, 2026. (Ali Overstreet/AP Photo)
After the match, Oweh said it was the best match he had ever been a part of.
Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (16 points), forward Mouhamed Dioubaté (17 points) and forward Brandon Garrison (10 points) all scored in double figures in the victory.
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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 during the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, March 20, 2026. (Ali Overstreet/AP Photo)
Elijah Mahi led Santa Clara with 20 points in the loss.
Kentucky will face the winner of No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 15 seed Tennessee State in the round of 32.
