Kentucky Freshman Sinks Buzzer-Beater to Stun LSU

Malachi Moreno's last-second shot caps Wildcats' dramatic comeback victory

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:37am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dramatic final moments of a basketball game, with the ball swishing through the net as the buzzer sounds, capturing the raw energy and excitement of the game-winning shot.Malachi Moreno's last-second heroics cap Kentucky's stunning comeback victory over LSU in a game that left fans on the edge of their seats.Knoxville Today

In a thrilling finish, Kentucky freshman Malachi Moreno hit a buzzer-beating jumper to give the Wildcats a 75-74 victory over the LSU Tigers after trailing by 16 points at halftime. The win capped a remarkable second-half comeback for Kentucky, who outscored LSU 53-36 in the final 20 minutes.

Why it matters

The game-winning shot by Moreno was a dramatic moment that showcased Kentucky's resilience and ability to mount a comeback against a tough SEC opponent on the road. The result could have major implications for the Wildcats' postseason hopes as they look to build momentum in conference play.

The details

Kentucky fell behind early, trailing LSU 38-22 at halftime. But the Wildcats stormed back in the second half, led by strong performances from Otega Oweh (21 points) and Denzel Aberdeen (17 points). Kentucky chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking a one-point lead late before LSU regained the advantage. With 1.6 seconds left and LSU up 74-73, Moreno caught a long inbounds pass and hit the game-winning jumper as time expired to give Kentucky the victory.

  • Kentucky trailed LSU 38-22 at halftime.
  • Kentucky outscored LSU 53-36 in the second half to mount their comeback.
  • With 1.6 seconds left, Malachi Moreno hit the game-winning buzzer-beater for Kentucky.

The players

Malachi Moreno

A freshman guard for the Kentucky Wildcats who hit the game-winning buzzer-beater shot to defeat LSU.

Otega Oweh

A Kentucky player who scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Wildcats' second-half comeback.

Denzel Aberdeen

A Kentucky player who scored 17 points and sparked the Wildcats' rally in the second half.

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What they’re saying

“That was one of the most incredible comebacks I've ever seen. Malachi Moreno is a hero for hitting that shot.”

— John Calipari, Kentucky Head Coach

What’s next

Kentucky will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Tennessee on Saturday at noon ET, with the game airing on ESPN.

The takeaway

Kentucky's thrilling comeback victory over LSU showcased the team's resilience and ability to battle back from a large deficit. Freshman Malachi Moreno's game-winning buzzer-beater will be remembered as one of the highlights of the Wildcats' season as they continue to fight for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.