Kentucky's Oweh Heroics Force OT Win

0:00On March 20th, the Kentucky Wildcats survived the wild first round NCAA Tournament Thriller against Santa Clara in St. Louis, advancing with an overtime, victory after an up-and-down regular season. Otega O.A. stole the show, scoring a career high 35 points, including a clutch buzzer beater that forced extra time. Santa Clara grabbed the 31-29-half-time edge after Kentucky's late turnovers and scoring drought erased an early Wildcats lead. Both teams struggle from three-point range early, combining for just eight makes in the first half. The second half stayed tight, with the Broncos even taking a four-point lead late. Kentucky clawed back to lead 67-64, but Santa Clara answered with a go-ahead three in the closing seconds before O.A. Saroix tied it. In overtime, the Wildcats dominated with an 8-0 run in the final minute to pull away and escape with the win. Kentucky's big night included nine of Kentucky's first 17-second-half points.

1:00Kentucky now heads to the second round on Sunday to face the winner of Iowa State in Tennessee State, carrying momentum from always breakout. Performance into deeper tournament waters.