Otega Oweh’s Last-Second Basket Lifts No. 17 Kentucky to Thrilling 83-82 Win Over Oklahoma
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the college basketball season, Otega Oweh’s game-winning layup with just six seconds left on the clock propelled the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats to an 83-82 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners on February 26, 2025. The game, played at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma, was a back-and-forth battle filled with intense moments, multiple lead changes, and a heroic individual performance from Oweh.
Oweh, a former Oklahoma player now with Kentucky, had a career-high 28 points against his former team, including the Wildcats’ final 18 points of the game. His composure and ability to deliver under pressure stood out in a hostile environment where the home crowd repeatedly booed him and chanted “He’s a traitor” when he stepped to the free-throw line. Despite the animosity, Oweh stayed locked in and ultimately had the last word with his clutch performance.
“I knew coming in it was going to be an emotional game,” Oweh said after the game. “But I just focused on my team and doing what I needed to do to help us win. This was about getting the win, and we did that.”
The game featured eight ties and nine lead changes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout. Oklahoma’s Jalon Moore led the Sooners with 20 points, while freshman guard Jeremiah Fears added an impressive 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. The Sooners seemed poised to pull off an upset after taking an 82-81 lead with 18 seconds remaining. But Kentucky had one more response.
After a timeout, the Wildcats put the ball in Oweh’s hands. He drove into the lane and sank a tough layup with six seconds to go, giving Kentucky an 83-82 lead. Oklahoma had a final chance to win the game, but Fears’ last-second layup attempt was dramatically blocked by Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison as the buzzer sounded.
Garrison, an Oklahoma native and former Oklahoma State player, played a crucial role off the bench for the Wildcats. Alongside his game-saving block, he finished with 12 points, three steals, and three blocks.
The emotional intensity didn’t end with the final whistle. As Kentucky players exited the court, an Oklahoma fan threw a beer can that narrowly missed Garrison. Fortunately, no players were harmed, but the incident added a sour note to an otherwise thrilling contest.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari praised his team’s resilience, particularly highlighting Oweh’s focus and maturity. “Otega showed incredible composure tonight,” Calipari said. “He’s a special player, and you saw that in the way he handled the pressure and kept delivering for us.”
With this victory, the Wildcats improved their record to 19-9 overall and 8-7 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their next challenge comes against the top-ranked Auburn Tigers, a game that will test their momentum and postseason aspirations.
For Oklahoma, the loss was their sixth in the last seven games, and the Sooners will need to regroup quickly as they fight to stay in NCAA tournament contention.
As the season heads toward its final stretch, this game will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most exciting and emotionally charged matchups of the year — with Otega Oweh’s unforgettable performance at its heart.
