NCAA Basketball Recap

December 25, 2025 • Sports

Hosted by Big Dill

About This Episode

Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: I want the scores from yesterday’s mens NCAA college basketball games. Give me scores, highlights, and top performers.

Transcript

Welcome to Big Dill Sports, where we dive into the latest and greatest in NCAA basketball. I'm your host, Dillon, and today we're unwrapping some exciting Christmas Eve matchups that delivered quite the festive thrill. Let’s break down those games, starting with the high-octane action in Lexington.

Kicking things off, the Kentucky Wildcats, ranked No. 15, put on a shooting clinic against Bellarmine. It was a back-and-forth affair, but Kentucky pulled away to secure a 99-85 victory. The star of the show was sophomore Kam Williams, who nailed eight three-pointers, scoring a career-high 26 points. Williams was absolutely lights out, and we also saw strong performances from Mouhamed Dioubate with 20 points and Denzel Aberdeen adding 14. The Wildcats’ sharp shooting was the key, hitting 53% from beyond the arc. A remarkable feat, indeed.

Over in Orlando, UCF staged an incredible comeback victory against Florida Atlantic. Trailing by 14 points in the second half, they roared back to win 85-80. The comeback was orchestrated by Themus Fulks, who dazzled with a 24-point, 12-assist performance. Riley Kugel also played a pivotal role, especially in the final minutes, with key layups that shifted the momentum. This win marks UCF's 10th straight victory, and they’re showing they have the grit and determination to face any challenge.

Meanwhile, Villanova delivered a statement win in their Big East opener at Seton Hall. Locked at halftime, Villanova erupted with a 16-0 run, ultimately securing a 64-56 win. Acaden Lewis led the charge with 16 points, while Bryce Lindsay contributed 15. A robust defensive effort forced 18 turnovers, translating those into crucial points. Villanova’s performance on both ends of the floor shows they’re a formidable force in the Big East.

Now, let's spotlight the player who’s a true ‘big dill’—Kam Williams from Kentucky. His shooting display was nothing short of spectacular, and his ability to sink eight three-pointers is a testament to his skill and confidence on the court. Hats off to Kam for such a remarkable game!

Looking ahead, Kentucky faces a tough SEC test at Vanderbilt, while UCF gears up for a heated matchup against South Florida. Villanova, fresh off their victory, is set to host Providence. Each of these games provides an exciting opportunity to see how these teams continue to shape the season.

As we settle into the holiday break, these results are setting the stage for mid-season evaluations. From Kentucky’s blazing offense to UCF's resilient comebacks and Villanova’s strategic dominance, the narrative of the 2025-26 season is already thrilling.

That wraps up today’s episode of Big Dill Sports. Thanks for tuning in to our Christmas Eve recap. Stay sharp, stay focused, and remember—there's always another game on the horizon. Until next time, I’m Dillon, and this has been Big Dill Sports. Keep it real, folks!

### Overview of Christmas Eve Action (December 24, 2025)

A festive slate of men’s college basketball on Christmas Eve saw high-scoring affairs and key non-conference tilts unfold across the country. In Lexington, No. 15 Kentucky dispensed with Bellarmine in a back-and-forth contest, while in Orlando, UCF erased a 14-point second-half deficit to down Florida Atlantic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Meanwhile, Villanova opened Big East play on the road with a statement win at Seton Hall, powered by a crucial 16-0 run early in the second half ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401823223?utm_source=openai)).

### Kentucky 99, Bellarmine 85: Shooting Barrage Fuels Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s sophomore sharpshooter Kam Williams erupted for eight 3-pointers en route to a career-high 26 points, pacing the Wildcats to a 99-85 victory over visiting Bellarmine. Williams connected on 8 of 10 field-goal attempts, including 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, and also sank both of his free throws. Mouhamed Dioubate chipped in a highly efficient 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while Denzel Aberdeen added 14. Jasper Johnson nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and seven assists, and Otega Oweh flirted with a triple-double (10 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, two steals) ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401823223?utm_source=openai)).

Bellarmine’s Jack Karasinski led the Knights with 24 points (6-of-9 FG, 3-of-5 3PT, 9-of-10 FT), but he received little sustained support as no other Knight cracked 17 points. Brian Waddell and reserve Michael Wilson Jr. each tallied 16, and Kenyon Goodin added 11, but Bellarmine trailed by eight at halftime (46-38) and never staged a serious threat in the second half. Kentucky shot a blistering 59.0% (33 of 56) overall and made a season-high 16 triples on 30 attempts (53%) ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401823223?utm_source=openai)).

### UCF 85, Florida Atlantic 80: Knights’ Rally Down the Stretch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Trailing by 14 points midway through the second half, No. 24 UCF mounted a furious comeback to beat Florida Atlantic 85-80 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Themus Fulks orchestrated the rally with a 24-point, 12-assist double-double, hitting his clutch free throws down the stretch and dishing key assists on fast-break baskets. Riley Kugel contributed 18 points in a performance punctuated by a pair of go-ahead layups in the final three minutes ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401824830&utm_source=openai)).

Jamichael Stillwell scored 15 and Jordan Burks added 14 for the Knights, who improved to 11-1 with their 10th straight win. Mississippi transfer John Bol secured his first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. FAU was led by Xander Pintelon’s team-high 20 points (7-of-11 FG, 4-of-8 3PT) and Kanaan Carlyle’s 15 points, 11 rebounds double-double, but the Owls could not slow UCF’s late surge despite leading by as many as 14 ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401824830&utm_source=openai)).

### Villanova 64, Seton Hall 56: Wildcats’ 16-0 Charge in Conference Opener

NEWARK, N.J. — Villanova wasted little time making its mark in Big East play, storming out of a halftime deadlock behind a decisive 16-0 run early in the second half to beat Seton Hall 64-56. Acaden Lewis paced the Wildcats with 16 points and Bryce Lindsay added 15 points and four assists. Matt Hodge chipped in 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Duke Brennan recorded a near double-double with 10 points and nine boards ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/villanovas-16-0-second-half-run-sinks-seton-hall--flm-2025-12-24/?utm_source=openai)).

The Wildcats (10-2, 1-0 Big East) outshot the Pirates 56.5% to 32.3% during that second-half spurt and forced 18 Seton Hall turnovers, converting them into 23 points. Villanova’s balanced attack and stingy defense allowed it to close out its first conference game comfortably, handing Seton Hall (11-2, 1-1) its first home loss of the season despite 13 points from Elijah Fisher and 10 from Josh Rivera ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/villanovas-16-0-second-half-run-sinks-seton-hall--flm-2025-12-24/?utm_source=openai)).

### Implications and What’s Next

Kentucky’s prolific shooting night continues a season-long trend of offensive firepower under second-year coach Jerome Wilson. The Wildcats will now turn their attention to a challenging SEC road test at Vanderbilt on December 29. UCF’s resilient second-half effort underscores the Knights’ balanced backcourt and depth, setting up a marquee matchup on December 30 at rival South Florida. Villanova’s stark turnaround in Newark bodes well for coach Kevin Willard’s squad as it navigates a rugged Big East slate beginning with a home date against Providence this weekend.

As the college basketball landscape settles into the holiday break, these Christmas Eve results set the tone for mid-season evaluations. Kentucky’s sharpshooters, UCF’s resilient backcourt, and Villanova’s conference-opening run highlight the diverse storylines shaping the 2025-26 season’s narrative.

NCAA Basketball Recap