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Top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: No. 3 Moreno's game-winner
- Story byWildcats Wire
- Top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: No. 3 Moreno's game-winner
Our countdown of the top 15 highlights from the past year of Kentucky Wildcats sports continues. For the No. 3 spot, we head back to the basketball court, and a big moment from freshman sensation Malachi Moreno , who came up clutch in a big way.
The Wildcats opened up SEC play last season in disappointing fashion. They started out 0-2 with a loss to Missouri where they let a lead slip away. After a big win against Mississippi State , they traveled south to try and even their conference record at 2-2 against the LSU Tigers .
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Things started poorly for Kentucky, who fell behind early, and trailed by 16 points at halftime. As they did all year, though, the Cats played much better over the final 20 minutes.
The lead was cut to single digits within just a few minutes, and was down to five with 10 minutes left. Kentucky took their first lead of the game with four minutes remaining, but couldn't pull ahead, and LSU regained control. A couple of free throws gave them a two-point lead, and set up a wild finish .
Otega Oweh was fouled with four seconds left, but missed the second free throw attempt. LSU got the rebound and was fouled immediately. Shockingly, they missed both free throws, and Kentucky grabbed the board and quickly called timeout with one second on the clock. Collin Chandler inbounded the ball, heaving it the length of the floor. The pass sailed to freshman Malachi Moreno, who quickly turned and buried the jumper, giving the Wildcats a miraculous one-point victory.
It was an unlikely finish, and as exciting as any regular season game this year. Moreno was the hero, and the moment would put him on a path to stardom. It would have been the biggest moment of the basketball season had it not been for one other. We'll get to that, though.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: No. 3 Moreno's game-winner
