In a nail-biting finish, Otega Oweh delivered a game-winning layup in the final second, saving (6) Kentucky from an all-time collapse and securing an 85-84 victory over (14) Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament’s second round. Oweh, who previously scored 28 points against his former team, finished with 27, with his final bucket proving to be the most crucial.
Kentucky seemed in control late, leading by as many as 10 points. However, Oklahoma stormed back, with Jeremiah Fears hitting a go-ahead shot with just six seconds left. The Wildcats quickly called timeout, setting up Oweh’s heroic moment. The win marks Kentucky’s first SEC Tournament victory since 2022 and advances them to a quarterfinal matchup against (3) Alabama on Friday night.
A Strong Start, Then a Battle
The Wildcats came out hot, opening with an 8-0 run that forced an early Oklahoma timeout. Kentucky made its first five shots, threatening to run away with the game. However, the Sooners responded with a 9-0 burst of their own, taking their first lead at 28-25. To make matters worse, starting point guard Lamont Butler suffered a shoulder injury and exited with 9:35 left in the first half, never returning.
Despite Butler’s absence, Kentucky fought back. Oweh’s and-one play tied the game, and Trent Noah’s effort on the boards helped the Wildcats regain the lead. A dunk by Ugonna Onyenso just before halftime sent Kentucky into the break with a 40-38 advantage. Trading Punches Until the End
Neither team could gain full control in the second half. Kentucky stretched its lead to seven at one point, but Oklahoma kept answering. With just under eight minutes left, the Wildcats clung to a narrow 66-65 lead.
Oweh came up big once again, hitting a clutch three-pointer, followed by another deep shot from Koby Brea. A powerful and-one finish by Oweh extended Kentucky’s lead to 10 with five minutes left, igniting the Bridgestone Arena crowd. A Brandon Garrison dunk pushed the lead to 12, forcing an Oklahoma timeout.
Kentucky appeared to have the game in hand, leading by 10 with 90 seconds left. However, sloppy turnovers allowed Oklahoma to go on a furious 7-0 run, capped by a Fears jumper that put the Sooners ahead 84-83 with 5.6 seconds left.
But with the game on the line, Oweh came through once more. Driving through the Oklahoma defense, he banked in a layup at the buzzer, sealing a dramatic win for Kentucky and keeping their SEC Tournament hopes alive.
The Wildcats now prepare to face Alabama, hoping to avenge two regular-season losses and continue their postseason run.
