Kentucky Survives Overtime Thriller Against Santa Clara

Dick Vitale and Big Blue Nation celebrate Otega Oweh's heroics to keep Wildcats' March Madness run alive

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:06pm

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In a nail-biting first-round NCAA Tournament game, the Kentucky Wildcats needed a last-second buzzer-beater from Otega Oweh to defeat the Santa Clara Broncos in overtime and advance to the Round of 32. ESPN analyst Dick Vitale's enthusiastic reaction on social media captured the emotions of Kentucky fans everywhere after the dramatic victory.

Why it matters

Kentucky, a perennial March Madness contender, faced an unexpected challenge from the underdog Santa Clara squad, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of the NCAA Tournament. Oweh's heroics not only saved the Wildcats' season but also kept alive the dreams of a deep tournament run for the storied program.

The details

With the game tied at the end of regulation, Kentucky needed a last-second shot from Otega Oweh to force overtime. In the extra period, Oweh continued his dominant performance, leading the Wildcats to a hard-fought victory over the scrappy Broncos. Oweh's final stat line of 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists underscored his clutch play in the high-stakes matchup.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 20, 2026.
  • Oweh's game-tying buzzer-beater came at the end of regulation.

The players

Otega Oweh

A senior forward for the Kentucky Wildcats, Oweh was the hero of the game, hitting the game-tying shot at the end of regulation and leading Kentucky to victory in overtime with a dominant performance.

Dick Vitale

The legendary ESPN college basketball analyst, Vitale captured the excitement of Kentucky fans with his enthusiastic social media reaction to Oweh's heroics.

Mark Pope

The head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, whose job may have been on the line had his team not survived the scare from Santa Clara.

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What they’re saying

“OWEH of @KentuckyMBB doing all he can to help Cats avoid losing in 1st rd vs @santaclarahoops”

— Dick Vitale

What’s next

Kentucky will face a tough challenge in the Round of 32 against the No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones, who could be shorthanded for the matchup.

The takeaway

Kentucky's nail-biting victory over Santa Clara showcased the unpredictability and drama of the NCAA Tournament, where even the most dominant programs can be pushed to the brink. Otega Oweh's heroics saved the Wildcats' season and kept their March Madness dreams alive, reminding fans why the tournament is one of the most exciting events in sports.