Otega Oweh’s improbable buzzer-beating three-pointer forced overtime, and No. 7 Kentucky survived a massive scare from Santa Clara, 89-84, in a March Madness first-round thriller that saved the Wildcats’ season.
ST. LOUIS — What looked like a historic March Madness upset turned into an instant classic thanks to one unwavering belief. With 2.2 seconds left in regulation and Kentucky trailing Santa Clara, senior guard Otega Oweh caught the inbounds pass, took two dribbles, and launched a 30-foot three that banked off the glass and through the net as the buzzer sounded, forcing overtime. The Wildcats eventually prevailed 89-84, but the story is Oweh’s 35 points, 28 of them after halftime, and a shot that will replay in Kentucky lore forever according to USA TODAY.
Santa Clara entered as a 10-seed with a fearless game plan. Under veteran coach Herb Sendek, the Broncos relied on their nation-leading rebounding and disciplined defense to stay in fights as Yahoo Sports reports. Despite foul trouble limiting dynamic freshman Allen Graves, Santa Clara nursed a 31-29 halftime lead and built a four-point advantage late in the second half, looking every bit the team ready to topple a blue blood.
The Broncos’ resilience was personified by Sash Gavalyugov. The Villanova transfer from Bulgaria answered every Kentucky run with clutch baskets, finishing with 16 points. Alongside leading scorer Elijah Mahi (20 points, five rebounds), Gavalyugov kept Santa Clara’s offense alive while their defense smothered the Wildcats’ rhythm per USA TODAY.
Then Oweh shifted the game’s gravity. After halftime, he attacked in transition, punished double teams with skip passes, and hit threes off the dribble. His eight rebounds and seven assists show a complete performance. When Graves hit a go-ahead three with 2.2 seconds left, the Broncos were poised for the upset. Oweh’s answer—a running heave that kissed glass—injected new life into Kentucky and stunned the Santa Clara faithful.
In overtime, Brandon Garrison erased two Gavalyugov stepback threes with critical blocks, preserving Kentucky’s narrow lead. Oweh then sank the clinching free throws, completing a 28-point second half that defined his senior season as USA TODAY highlights.
Why this transcends a single game:
- Kentucky’s tournament mettle is proven: Questions lingered after a shaky SEC Tournament finish. Oweh’s poise under the deepest pressure confirms these Wildcats can survive March’s chaotic moments.
- Oweh’s legacy is cemented: A senior hitting the shot of the tournament on the biggest stage? That’s NBA draft stock rocket fuel. His all-around impact—scoring, playmaking, rebounding—paints the picture of a pro-ready two-way wing.
- Santa Clara’s near-miss signals a rising program: The Broncos’ rebounding (they entered as one of the nation’s best) and defensive discipline show Sendek has built a sustainable contender in the West Coast Conference. This loss will fuel next year’s run.
- The narrative flips overnight: Kentucky went from “Can they escape?” to “Watch out for the Wildcats.” Confidence in single-elimination mode is everything, and Oweh just handed his team a massive dose.
Fan message boards are already flooded with “What if Graves stays out of foul trouble?” debates and memes of Oweh’s bank shot. While Santa Clara’s valiant effort will be remembered, this game will forever be Oweh’s moment—a senior from New Jersey delivering when his team needed it most.
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