In an exciting matchup on Saturday, Lamont Butler made a remarkable return, contributing significantly to No. 5 Kentucky’s victory over rival Louisville with a career-high of 33 points, including six three-pointers. The game ended with a score of 93-85, solidifying Kentucky’s dominance in the Bluegrass rivalry.
Kentucky (10-1) showcased impressive shooting, hitting 58% from the field, with an outstanding 70% before halftime. Butler, who had missed two games previously, was a key player as he went a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor. His momentum swung the game in Kentucky’s favor, particularly after he scored 14 out of Kentucky’s first 16 points early in the second half, including a layup that gave the Wildcats a 59-49 lead.
Although Louisville (6-5) managed to narrow the gap to 64-61, Kentucky responded effectively with several small scoring runs that allowed them to maintain double-digit leads throughout the contest. Otega Oweh proved vital down the stretch, contributing eight important points, including a three-point play that brought the score to 89-79 with just 43 seconds left on the clock.
This victory marked Kentucky’s 10th win in the last 12 meetings against Louisville. Chucky Hepburn led the Cardinals with 26 points, while Terrence Edwards Jr. added 23, helping Louisville to achieve a season-best total of 14 three-pointers, despite an overall shooting percentage of just 44.3%. Oweh supported Kentucky’s efforts with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting.
Takeaways from this matchup highlighted that Louisville’s strong perimeter shooting from Edwards and Hepburn kept them competitive, yet they struggled to contain Butler’s offensive prowess. Kentucky dominated the boards, out-rebounding Louisville 41-31, and their effective three-point shooting, making 11 out of 21 attempts, proved crucial.
A noteworthy moment during the game involved a scuffle in front of Louisville’s bench after Brandon Garrison stood over Reyne Smith during a scramble for the ball. Garrison was only penalized with a common foul. Another critical statistic indicated Kentucky’s success at the free-throw line, converting 18 of 28 attempts, while Louisville struggled, hitting only 9 of 14 shots from the charity stripe.
Looking ahead, Louisville is set to resume Atlantic Coast Conference action against Florida State next Saturday. Meanwhile, Kentucky will face Ohio State in the prestigious CBS Sports Classic in New York this coming Saturday.
