At the Half: Kentucky Leads Canada 49-34

Kentucky shook up the starting lineup and the Wildcats didn’t bat an eye against Team Canada. Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard filled in for DJ Wagner and Antonio Reeves. The freshmen did not look like it, knocking down a few impressive early buckets to help the Cats stretch out an early lead, one they never gave up against the Canadians.

After going 0-fer from behind the three-point line in the opening game of the GLOBL Jam, Sheppard sank threes on back-to-back possession, helping Kentucky finish 4-for-6 from the floor and take a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Like Sheppard, Justin Edwards struggled to score in the opening game against Germany. The ball bounced all over the rim early on until he finally broke through. The freshman phenom buried a pair of three-pointers, finishing the first half with 9 points, 4 boards, 2 steals and 2 assists in nine minutes of action.

Justin to Tre to Justin 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PbOOAziKzp

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 14, 2023

Sheppard provided an exclamation point to end the half. With only seconds on the clock, the reigning Kentucky Mr. Basketball blocked a three-point shot, then went coast-to-cast to slam one home. He leads the Cats in scoring with a dozen points as Kentucky leads Canada 49-34. Reeves added nine points and Adou Thiero chipped in six.

OH MY REED! Sheppard blocks the three and takes all the way for the dunk!

12 PTS, 3 STL, 2 3PT 😼 pic.twitter.com/UvifAXUIGG

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 14, 2023

Kentucky vs. Canada First Half Stats

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