Lamont Butler’s Flawless 33 Points Propel No. 5 Kentucky Past Louisville in Rivalry Thriller, 93-85
The Big Blue Nation entered Saturday uncertain about Lamont Butler’s availability due to a lingering ankle injury. By the evening’s end, Butler cemented his name in rivalry lore with a jaw-dropping 33-point performance, leading No. 5 Kentucky (10-1) to a spirited 93-85 victory over Louisville (6-5) at Rupp Arena in the first Battle of the Bluegrass under coaches Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey.
Butler’s brilliance was nothing short of historic, as the guard went a flawless 10-for-10 from the field, including 6-of-6 from deep. Kentucky, as a team, shot an efficient 58% from the floor and 52% from beyond the arc, with four other Wildcats joining Butler in double figures. Otega Oweh added 17 points, Jaxson Robinson contributed a near double-double with 12 points and eight boards, while Koby Brea and Andrew Carr chipped in 10 points apiece.
Louisville, despite hitting a season-high 14 three-pointers, fell short against Kentucky’s offensive machine. Chucky Hepburn led the Cardinals with 26 points, and Terrence Edwards added 23. However, Louisville’s short rotation proved costly, as two players fouled out, and the Cardinals couldn’t keep pace with Kentucky’s superior ball movement and transition game.
Fast Start and Louisville’s Response
Kentucky wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a quick nine-point lead within the game’s opening minutes. The Rupp Arena crowd erupted as the Wildcats appeared poised to run away with it. Louisville, however, found its rhythm after a well-timed timeout by Kelsey. The Cardinals clawed back into the contest, closing the gap by hitting seven threes in the first half, though they struggled with fouls and rebounding.
By halftime, Kentucky held a 46-40 advantage, bolstered by near-flawless shooting—69.6% from the field and 71.4% from deep. Butler and Robinson led the charge, combining for 22 points without a single missed shot. Louisville, while scrappy, faced challenges with its top scorer, Terrence Edwards, picking up three fouls before the break.
Second-Half Drama and Butler’s Heroics
Butler opened the second half with consecutive three-pointers, extending Kentucky’s lead to double digits. Yet, Louisville refused to back down. Behind Hepburn’s hot hand, the Cardinals cut the deficit to just two points midway through the half, keeping the game on edge.
Foul trouble, however, began to mount for Louisville. Edwards picked up his fourth foul early in the half, while James Scott fouled out with 10 minutes remaining, leaving the Cardinals shorthanded. Kentucky capitalized, stretching the lead to double digits multiple times, only for Louisville’s hot shooting from deep to keep the game within reach.
Tempers flared midway through the half when a scuffle broke out between Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison and the Louisville bench following a foul. Though no technicals or flagrants were issued, the intensity of the rivalry was on full display.
Closing Time
Despite Louisville’s resilience, Kentucky’s offensive execution proved too much. Oweh’s clutch three-pointer from the corner in the game’s final minute sealed the victory, giving the Wildcats a 10-point cushion and silencing the Cardinals’ comeback hopes. Free throws in the closing seconds ensured an eight-point margin, as the Wildcats celebrated another rivalry win in front of a jubilant Rupp Arena crowd.
As the final buzzer sounded, Butler was deservedly named MVP of the matchup, etching his name into Kentucky-Lousiville rivalry history.
What’s Next?
Kentucky will take a well-earned week off before heading to Madison Square Garden for a marquee matchup against Ohio State on Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. EST, with the game airing nationally on CBS. With Butler back at full strength, the Wildcats look primed to continue their dominant run.