Malachi Moreno just might have saved the season for the Kentucky Wildcats. On a night that the Wildcats found themselves down double-digits, Moreno turned hero with just 1.6 seconds.
Off a missed free-throw, Otega Oweh came down with the rebound and called a timeout. Collin Chandler threw a full-court pass to Moreno, who channeled is inner Christian Laettner, pivoted at the free throw line, and swished it.
The Kentucky native engraved his shining moment with the Wildcats on a Wednesday night in January.
And of course, former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino weighed in on Twitter.
“Awesome play Cap, incredible shot,” Pitino wrote. “And to my Camelot friends, there was a big man on the ball lol.”
Moreno ended the game with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. He played just eight minutes in the second half, but he made sure to make them count.
Mark Pope drew up the right play for the 7-footer, and it worked out perfectly. The Laettner-esque possession was what the Wildcats needed as they play four of their next six games on the road.
With that buzzer-beater by Moreno, the Wildcats move to 11-6 on the season and 2-2 in SEC play. They also pick up their first quad-one win of the season in Baton Rouge.
The Wildcats are back on the road on Saturday in Knoxville. They take on the Volunteers on Saturday at 12:00 PM ET. The game will air on ESPN.
