Kentucky Basketball headed into the Christmas break with another win on the board, but Tuesday’s 99–85 victory over Bellarmine was anything but a quiet tune-up.
Despite being favored by more than 35 points, the Wildcats were forced into a competitive, back-and-forth game before their shooting firepower and depth finally separated them late. Kentucky improves to 9 wins on the season, closing out 2025 with momentum—and a few lingering questions.
Kam Williams stole the show
If there was any doubt about who carried Kentucky to the finish line, Kam Williams erased it in emphatic fashion.
Williams poured in a game-high 26 points while drilling 8 of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Every time Bellarmine threatened to tighten the game, Williams answered—stretching the floor and forcing the Knights to defend Kentucky in ways they simply couldn’t sustain.
The Wildcats have been searching for a consistent perimeter weapon, and this was the clearest sign yet that Williams can be that guy when he’s locked in.
Bellarmine refused to go away
The opening half felt exactly like a pre-holiday matinee: sluggish, uneven, and uncomfortably close.
Bellarmine shot 52% from the field in the first half and went a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line, keeping Kentucky from ever building real separation. The Knights trimmed the lead to just three late in the half, creating a brief sense of unease inside Rupp Arena.
Kentucky still led 46–38 at the break thanks to hot shooting of its own—55% from the field and seven made threes—but the game never felt fully under control.
That changed after halftime. The Wildcats came out sharper on both ends, pushing the lead to 74–56 with just over 10 minutes remaining. While Bellarmine continued to trade baskets and linger within striking distance, Kentucky never allowed the game to slip back into true danger.
Balance made the difference
One of the most encouraging signs for Kentucky was how many players contributed. Ten Wildcats found the scoring column, helping stabilize the game when the energy dipped and preventing any one player from having to force the issue.
Otega Oweh flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds while serving as the engine of Kentucky’s offense. Mo Dioubate added 20 points, providing consistent interior production to complement the perimeter shooting.
Brandon Garrison was the lone Wildcat who didn’t score, though he also didn’t attempt a shot.
That balance matters, especially with Kentucky managing injuries. Jaland Lowe sat out as the staff continues to monitor his shoulder, and Jayden Quaintance logged just eight minutes while easing his way back into game shape following ACL surgery.
Bellarmine deserves credit for making Kentucky work, led by Jack Karasinski’s 24-point effort, including 14 in the first half. But over 40 minutes, Kentucky’s depth and shooting punch proved too much.
The Wildcats didn’t play a flawless game—but they played a winning one. And when Kam Williams is shooting like that, Kentucky’s margin for error gets a lot bigger.
Mark Pope was right—and after this game, fans are still talking about it.
