ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Mouhamed Dioubate #23 and Otega Oweh #00 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate against the Santa Clara Broncos during overtime in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

Kentucky finishes Santa Clara in OT after insane buzzer-beater

8 days ago
Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It'll be tough for the rest of the NCAA Tournament to top Friday's opening game between No. 7 Kentucky and No. 10 Santa Clara.

Otega Oweh forced overtime with a banked 3-pointer for Kentucky as time expired in regulation, and the Wildcats eventually emerged victorious in the extra session.

Oweh's shot came on the heels of an incredible Santa Clara 3-pointer that appeared to have secured victory for the Broncos. The tying basket was the highlight of a brilliant outing for Oweh, who finished with 35 points and single-handedly carried Kentucky's offense for most of the day.

Oweh became the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to finish with at least 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in an NCAA Tournament game.

The result didn't come without controversy, as Broncos coach Herb Sendek appeared to try to call a timeout after Santa Clara's late triple gave his team a 3-point lead. However, the officials didn't recognize it in the moment, and Oweh tied the game seconds later.

Kentucky advances to face the winner of No. 2 Iowa State versus No. 15 Tennessee State in the Round of 32.

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