.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting playoff formats in all of sports because every game is single-elimination. This makes every shot matter and brings an intensity to the end of games, especially when a better team is trailing.
No. 7 Kentucky got matched up with No. 10 Santa Clara in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are a blue-blood program that has won national championships throughout its history, so many overlooked Santa Clara. The Broncos hung with the Wildcats throughout the first half, even holding a lead as the game came down to the wire.
Santa Clara looked primed for an upset with a three-point lead as time ticked down, but Kentucky's Otega Oweh launched a shot that just beat the buzzer to tie the game and force overtime.
Here is more on Oweh's buzzer-beater against Santa Clara.
MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more
Kentucky buzzer-beater vs. Santa Clara
Santa Clara had possession with less than 10 seconds left. Guard Allen Graves made a 24-foot three-pointer to put Santa Clara up three points. While the fans were erupting in excitement, Kentucky inbounded the ball. Oweh dribbled up the court, took a few steps past halfcourt and launched a prayer of a three-pointer halfway between the halfcourt line and three-point line. Oweh nailed the shot, and it was confirmed he got it off in time, sending the game into overtime.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 20, 2026Kentucky used the momentum from the buzzer-beating shot to go on a tear in overtime. The Wildcats scored 16 points compared to only 11 for the Broncos, and clinched the 89-84 win. If Oweh had missed the shot to end regulation, Kentucky would have been eliminated. Now, after the overtime win, the Wildcats will move on to the second round and will face the winner of No. 2 Iowa State and No. 15 Tennessee State.
HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
This article will be updated.
English (US)