Bluegrassrivals

Fern Creek 56, Butler 51: The Tigers hit just 15 of 33 free throws but went 5 of 8 from the line in the final 1:32 as they held on against the Bears (5-11).

"I expected us to play better, but give Butler a lot of credit," Fern Creek coach Dion Layfield said. "We didn't execute, but we live to play another day."

Fern Creek (7-5) led most of the game until Butler made a run in the fourth quarter for a 40-38 lead. But Tigers guard Jerell Moore made sure it didn't stick.

The sophomore hit a three-pointer and then dished to Orlando Rutledge for a layup to make it 43-40 with 4:40 left.

Fern Creek kept the lead between four and six points and then hit the five free throws to seal the deal.

The Tigers will play Jeffersontown tonight.

Moore finished with 17 points, and Rutledge added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Thomas Blakemore had 20 points for Butler, and Darius Stone added nine points and 15 rebounds.

Butler 12 11 11 17 -- 51
Fern Creek 20 8 9 19 -- 56


Butler (5-11) -- Blakemore 20, Wesson 1, Sauders 7, Billharz 9, Able 5, Stone 9.

Fern Creek (7-5) -- Jimenez 1, Moore 17, Smith 7, Mosby 3, Rutledge 17, Davis 6, Robinson 1, Irvin 4.

3-point goals -- Able 1, Moore 2, Rutledge 2, Mosby 1.