Kam Williams led the way, but he wasn’t the only Cat filling it up from the perimeter Tuesday afternoon. Will it translate to tougher games?

LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball closed out its 2025 calendar year with a win over Bellarmine 99-85 inside Rupp Arena on Christmas Eve Eve.

Get real-time Men's College Basketball coverage and scores as Bellarmine Knights takes on Kentucky Wildcats. We bring you the latest game previews, live stats, expert picks and recaps on CBS Sports

Kentucky had one job and one job only against Bellarmine: win. Coming off back-to-back victories vs. Indiana and St. John’s, the Wildcats just needed to handle business against the Knights to get to Christmas break ahead of the start of SEC play in January.

Kam Williams scored a career-high 26 points and hit 8-of-10 from three as Kentucky hit a season-high 16 three-pointers in a 99-85 win over Bellarmine on Tuesday afternoon in Rupp Arena. Jack Karasinski led the Knights with 24 points.

Merry Christmas, Big Blue Nation! Kentucky Men’s Basketball gifted an in-state win of 99-85. After UK secured its first ranked win of the season, the Cats would host Bellarmine.

After Saturday’s injury scare vs. St. John’s, it was very likely that Kentucky Basketball would hold Jaland Lowe out for Tuesday’s game vs. Bellarmine. That’s exactly what happened as Lowe and Kentucky continue to manage his shoulder,