No. 7 seed Kentucky Basketball survived one of the wildest games of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, escaping No. 10 Santa Clara in an overtime thriller in St. Louis to advance to the Round of 32 under head coach Mark Pope.
What looked like a season-ending moment turned into a signature March Madness moment that will live on forever in BBN lore.
With just two seconds remaining in regulation, Santa Clara appeared to hit a game-winning three-pointer, but the Wildcats responded in stunning fashion as Otega
Oweh delivered a clutch game-tying shot to force overtime and keep Kentucky’s season alive.
From there, both teams traded runs in an intense overtime period, answering each other possession after possession. In the end, Kentucky delivered down the stretch to close the game 89-83, securing the victory and punching its ticket to the Round of 32.
Offensively, the Wildcats relied heavily on a core group early. Denzel Aberdeen led the way with eight first-half points, while Oweh added seven, Brandon Garrison chipped in six, and Mo Dioubate contributed five. That quartet accounted for 26 of Kentucky’s 29 first-half points, highlighting both their production and the team’s reliance on a limited scoring group.
In the second half, the game went back and forth, with both teams going on runs, but Kentucky had the final say.
Still, when it mattered most, Kentucky found a way, and the season lives on.
Here are three things to know from the miraculous win!
1. Otega Oweh answers the bell, and then some
Oweh’s performance was nothing short of heroic for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball.
Otega Oweh delivered a career night, pouring in 35 points on 11-of-24 shooting, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, while also adding eight rebounds and seven assists in a dominant all-around performance.
From the opening tip, Oweh showed confidence, but it was his ability to take over when the moment demanded it that defined his night. He attacked the basket with aggression, created his own shot, and consistently put pressure on the defense, finding ways to score at all three levels.
Still, his biggest moment came in the closing seconds of regulation.
With Kentucky’s season hanging in the balance and time winding down, Oweh stepped up and knocked down a clutch game-tying three-pointer to send the game into overtime. It was a shot that not only kept the Wildcats alive but also completely shifted the momentum heading into the extra period.
In overtime, Oweh continued to lead the charge, making key plays as both a scorer and facilitator to help Kentucky regain control and ultimately secure the win.
His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, combined with his all-around production, proved to be the difference. It was a complete performance — and one that Kentucky will need to see more of as the Wildcats continue their NCAA Tournament run.
His ability to take over when it mattered most proved to be the difference.
2. Collin Chandler still searching for consistency
Despite the win, Collin Chandler continues to be a question mark heading into the next round.
Chandler finished the first half with zero points, going 0-for-5 from the field, with all five attempts coming from beyond the arc, but finished the game with 5 points. It has been a frustrating stretch for the sophomore guard, who has shown flashes of confidence earlier in the season but has struggled to maintain consistency.
After regaining momentum against Vanderbilt late in the regular season, there was hope Chandler could carry that confidence into the postseason. But that hasn’t materialized so far.
If Kentucky hopes to continue its run, especially with a potential matchup against Iowa State looming, Chandler finding his confidence again will be critical.
3. Brandon Garrison and Mo Dioubate continue to rise
The frontcourt duo of Brandon Garrison and Mo Dioubate once again played a crucial role.
Both players were impactful on the defensive end, combining for multiple blocks and altering shots in the paint. Offensively, they added nearly 30 points and pulled down c15 rebounds, providing balance and physicality.
Since the SEC Tournament, the pair has elevated their play, and that continued in this win.
In the end, Kentucky didn’t play a perfect game, far from it, but in March, survival is all that matters.
And thanks to late-game heroics, resilience, and a final push in overtime, the Wildcats are still dancing.
