Otega Oweh’s Miraculous Buzzer-Beater Propels Kentucky Past Santa Clara in Thrilling NCAA Upset

By Perplexity Sports Desk | March 20, 2026

ST. LOUIS — In a sequence that embodied the unpredictable chaos of March Madness, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh etched his name into NCAA lore with a banked-in 30-foot buzzer-beater, forcing overtime and ultimately saving the seventh-seeded Wildcats’ season in an 89-84 victory over the 10th-seeded Santa Clara Broncos on Friday at the Enterprise Center.

Oweh’s heroics came at the brink of disaster. With just 2.4 seconds left in regulation and Kentucky trailing 73-70, Santa Clara’s Allen Graves drained a clutch three-pointer from the right wing, appearing to seal a stunning first-round upset in the Broncos’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996. But Oweh, who received the inbound pass, sprinted up the sideline, pulled up from beyond midcourt, and watched his desperation heave kiss off the glass and drop through the net as the buzzer sounded, tying the game at 73 and sending it to overtime.[1][2][3][4]

“I was really just trying to get a shot off and just not wanting the season to end,” Oweh said postgame, his voice still buzzing with adrenaline. The transfer from Oklahoma finished with a career-high 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists—a stat line not seen in an NCAA Tournament game since Larry Bird’s legendary performance for Indiana State in 1979.[1]

The game was a back-and-forth thriller from the tip. Kentucky, the No. 7 seed with a 22-13 record entering the tournament, built an early 26-21 lead in the first half behind contributions from Trayce Jackson-Davis (noted in early scoring runs) and Amari Dioubate. But Santa Clara, riding the wave of Graves’ hot hand and sharp shooting from Sash Gavalyugov, clawed back, trading blows in a second half defined by momentum swings.[1][3]

The final minutes of regulation were pure pandemonium. Oweh tied the score at 70 with a driving layup just nine seconds before Graves’ go-ahead triple. Amid the roar of the St. Louis crowd, Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek attempted to call timeout after Graves’ shot, but officials missed it in the frenzy—a point of minor controversy that did little to overshadow Oweh’s miracle.[2]

Overtime Dominance Seals the Deal

In the extra period, Kentucky finally asserted control with an 8-0 run early on, outscoring Santa Clara 16-11. Oweh’s two free throws with 1:12 left put the Wildcats ahead for good. Center Brandon Garrison provided crucial defense, swatting away two three-point attempts by Gavalyugov in the final minute, the second leading to more free throws. Garrison capped his efforts with a breakaway dunk that pushed the lead to 83-79.[3]

Oweh’s performance wasn’t just a one-night wonder; it shattered a 75-year-old Kentucky record. The junior guard, younger brother of Washington Commanders edge rusher Odafe Oweh, surpassed Bill Spivey’s mark for points in a player’s first two seasons at Kentucky (1,237 total), a record from the 1951 national championship team. Spivey later faced point-shaving allegations, adding a layer of historical intrigue to Oweh’s milestone.[3]

“It’s been life-changing. It’s a testament to the guys that are around me,” Oweh said. “That wouldn’t have happened without them.”

Kentucky’s Season on the Line

For coach Mark Pope’s Wildcats, this win was a lifeline. Entering as a No. 7 seed after a rollercoaster regular season, Kentucky appeared headed for an early exit—their first first-round loss since 2010. Pope admitted the tension: “I was nervous with the trajectory. But then when it hit the glass in exactly the right spot, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is beautiful.'”[2]

Santa Clara, meanwhile, fought valiantly in their tournament return. Graves’ 3-pointer had the Broncos dreaming of advancing, but Kentucky’s resilience prevailed. The Broncos’ last-second heartbreaker denied them a Cinderella story, but their grit earned respect nationwide.[4]

Key Game Stats

Team	Record	Points	Key Performer
Kentucky	22-13	89	Otega Oweh (35 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast)
Santa Clara	N/A	84	Allen Graves (clutch 3s)

Looking Ahead in March Madness

Kentucky advances to face the winner of the second-round matchup in the St. Louis pod, keeping their 63rd NCAA Tournament appearance—the most of any program—alive. Oweh’s shot has already gone viral, with CBS Sports tweeting highlights captioned “THIS IS MARCH.” As the tournament unfolds, expect this moment to be replayed endlessly, a testament to why fans tune in for the Madness.[4][5]

For Oweh, it’s validation after transferring from Oklahoma. His poise under pressure has Kentucky believing deeper runs are possible. In a sport full of upsets, this Day 2 thriller reminded everyone: in March, anything can happen.

This story will be updated with postgame quotes and analysis as available.