Kentucky freshman guard Jamal Murray scored 22 points -- all of which came in the fourth quarter or overtime -- in Canada’s 111-108 win over the United States in the semifinals of the Pan-Am Games in Toronto. The 6-foot-5 Murray took control of things late in the game and became the scoring force that Canada needed from the perimeter to help advance to the gold-medal game.
The Canadians were led by 31 points from Andrew Nicholson and Anthony Bennett also chipped in 18 points, as they advance to face Brazil in Saturday’s finale.
Leading the Americans were professionals Bobby Brown (25 points) and Anthony Randolph (21 points) while the college ranks were represented well in the scoring column by Wichita State’s Ron Baker (15 points) and Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine (11 points). In the bronze-medal game, the United States will battle the Dominican Republic on Saturday.
While falling short of the gold-medal game is no doubt disappointing for the Americans, Murray’s sizzling play continues to be the major story of the Pan-Am Games from a basketball perspective. Not only are people buzzing about Murray’s performance in the event, but expectations are becoming increasingly higher for him to produce at a high level at Kentucky this season.
You can view the full box score for the game here.