In an unforgettable night at Bridgestone Arena, Otega Oweh led Kentucky to a thrilling 85-84 victory over Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament. The game saw Big Blue Nation go through a whirlwind of emotions, from despair to euphoria, as Oweh’s clutch game-winner sealed a comeback for the ages.
With just 41 seconds left, Kentucky held a six-point lead and seemed poised for a comfortable finish. However, a flurry of turnovers, including two by Oweh, gave Oklahoma the momentum to take the lead. Freshman Jeremiah Fears hit a go-ahead bucket, putting the Sooners up by one with less than six seconds to play. It was a moment of heartbreak for the Wildcats—until Oweh’s heroics changed everything.
The Kentucky shooting guard embodied head coach Mark Pope’s mantra of a “next play mentality.” Despite his earlier mistakes, Oweh regrouped and delivered in the clutch. Speaking on the SEC Network after the game, Oweh said, “I had two turnovers. I don’t know why it had to play out like that, but Coach always preaches next play mentality. Obviously, it was a bummer to turn it over, but there’s still time on the clock. It was a play to get downhill, and a good thing happened.”
That good thing was a game-winning basket that electrified the crowd and sent Kentucky into the next round. Mark Pope praised Oweh and his team for their resilience. “I’m so proud of our guys. Otega is a microcosm of our whole team. His growth in his next play mentality from the start of the season to now is incredible. It’s just credit to his character and the character of our team,” Pope said.
The victory was even more significant as Kentucky played without Lamont Butler, who left the game with an injury in the first half. The Wildcats had to dig deep, showcasing grit and determination to overcome adversity.
For Kentucky fans, this win served as a much-needed balm after recent postseason disappointments. As Oweh basked in the celebrations, Pope summed it up perfectly: “There’s no fan base like this in the world. We get to be a part of this family, and there’s nothing like it.”
With this win, Kentucky moves one step closer to their SEC Tournament goals, fueled by the heart and heroics of Otega Oweh.
