Kamar Baldwin Buzzer-Beater Gives No. 19 Butler Upset Win vs. No.10 Villanova

Kamar Baldwin has been the driving force behind No. 19 Butler's wild season. Now he can add a buzzer-beater against a title contender to his highlight reel. 

With Villanova's Collin Gillespie trying to guard him with the clock running out and the game tied at 76, the senior completely fooled his defender and launched a three-pointer off a nasty step-back that had Gillespie out of reach, propelling Butler to a 79-76 victory over the No. 10 Wildcats.

The victory comes days after the Bulldogs suffered a stunning upset at home against Providence on Saturday. That was just one part of a day that saw the Big East race thrown into chaos with then-No. 10 Seton Hall and then-No. 8 Villanova also falling to unranked teams, respectively. Wednesday's result helped rectify the stumble as Butler entered the night three games back of Seton Hall for first place. The Wildcats were just one game back.

Now the race for the conference title is back on in a big way. 

Butler and Villanova weathered a 13-minute rain delay when the roof at Hinkle Fieldhouse sprung a leak as a winter storm raged outside. The game was played under threat of postponement if Butler officials couldn't stop water from dripping onto the court. 

The Bulldogs have every reason to feel grateful that wasn't the case as they move to 18-5 (6-4 Big East) on the year.

Notable Performers

• Kamar Baldwin, G, Bulldogs: 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists
• Sean McDermott, F, Bulldogs: 21 points, eight rebounds, one assist 
• Bryce Golden, F, Bulldogs: 18 points, five rebounds, three assists
• Saddiq Bey, F, Wildcats: 29 points, six rebounds
• Collin Gillespie, G, Wildcats: 28 points, six assists, two rebounds

Baldwin robs Villanova's Comeback Bid

Arguably no player in college basketball has been able to put a team on his back the way Baldwin has carried Butler this season. Never was that more true than in the final few minutes against Villanova. 

The Bulldogs held a 10-point lead with less than six minutes to play when the Wildcats began a comeback bid led by forward Saddiq Bey. The sophomore nailed three three-pointers in the last 4:30 to even things up at 76 apiece with just 30 seconds left. Just when it seemed like Villanova had all the momentum, Baldwin took the ball to the right wing in front of his bench and went to work on Gillespie while the clock wound down. 

With four seconds left, Baldwin used a jab-step to push Gillespie back twice, using the second to lurch into a step-back three-pointer that left his hands with 1.5 seconds on the clock. At that point, Gillespie had lost his man and given Baldwin a clear look at the rim. 

Gillespie had been the catalyst behind Villanova's offense all night, distributing the ball and scoring at will when needed. He hit one three-pointer to start the Nova comeback and assisted on the three triples that followed. 

Now he was helpless as Baldwin's shot hung in the air. Already, Baldwin had mystified Wildcats head coach Jay Wright to the point that the famously well-dressed coach began to unbutton his coat and tear into his team. Even following his directions, there was nothing more Nova could do. 

Baldwin's shot fell as the clock hit zero, handing the Wildcats (17-5, 7-3 Big East) a second consecutive loss for the first time all year. 

Bryce Golden goes for Career High

All season long, Butler has looked for scoring depth to complement Baldwin. The search was hindered by season-ending ACL injuries to forward Christian David and guard Campbell Donovan, as well as a wrist injury that held guard Aaron Thompson out of the last three games.

Thompson returned Wednesday, posting nine points, two assists and one rebound, but two other starters—Sean McDermott and Bryce Golden—stepped up to provide additional offense. 

Golden's 18 points (9-of-12 FG) marked a career high, while McDermott tallied his third 20-point performance this year. The duo allowed Baldwin a bit of a reprieve as he navigated around a third foul early in the second half.

With 12 minutes left and Butler ahead 54-52, Golden worked on moving the ball to help stretch the lead. The sophomore notched two points and assisted seven more to put the Bulldogs up by 10 before Bey caught fire from behind the arc to jumpstart the Wildcats' comeback. 

It's exactly the type of supplemental offense Butler will need in the postseason—whether or not Baldwin gets into foul trouble—so showing it against a championship-caliber team should provide head coach LaVall Jordan with a bit more confidence as the season inches closer to March. 

What's Next

Butler will face three straight unranked teams in the next week when it visits Marquette before Xavier and Georgetown travel to Indiana. This will be the Bulldogs' first time matching up against Xavier after already defeating the Hoyas and Golden Eagles earlier this season.

The road for Villanova is a bit trickier. It will welcome No. 12 Seton Hall to Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday for the first of two matchups against the Pirates that may very well decide first place in the Big East.