Music: {allcanada} Canada beats Jamaica in FIBA exhibition

Thursday, August 8, 2013

{allcanada} Canada beats Jamaica in FIBA exhibition

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TORONTO — Brady Heslip scored 18 points and was named player of the game Thursday as Canada's men's basketball team defeated Jamaica 81-72 in the opener of the Jack Donohue International Classic.

Levon Kendall added 16 points for the Canadians, while Jevohn Shepherd chipped in with 12 of his own in the first game of the exhibition showcase being held at the Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Jamaica got off to a quick start with the first four points of the game, but the Canadians came back to lead 29-21 after the first 10-minute quarter.

Canada saw its lead cut to two at halftime thanks in large part to 15 points from Jamaica's Adrian Uter.

The hosts got a spark in the third when Andrew Nicholson got tangled up with Jamaica's Samardo Samuels. Teammates quickly stepped in between the two to prevent things from escalating, but the exchange fired up Canada.

Heslip, who scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Canadians pulled away, finished the night 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-for-7 from three-point range.

Uter finished with 16 points for Jamaica, while Samardo added 15.

Canada and Jamaica will meet again Saturday night at 7 p.m. for a rematch.