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VIDEO: Kentucky recruit Jamal Murray takes over for Team Canada in Pan Am semifinal

Rick Madonik / Toronto Star / Getty

John Calipari landed himself yet another budding star with Canadian guard Jamal Murray.

Murray, an incoming Kentucky freshman, led Team Canada to a thrilling 111-108 overtime victory over Team USA in the semifinals of the Pan American Games on Friday night.

The 18-year-old was scoreless through three quarters, but caught fire in the fourth and overtime. Murray went on to finish with 22 points, four rebounds, and six assists in helping his country advance to the gold-medal final.

As the second-youngest player in the competition, Murray embraced the moment and showed no fear.

"I’ve been in those situations before," Murray told reporters after the game. "I just to go out there and play on a big stage. I’m just playing basketball, really."

Canada trailed by six heading into the fourth, but a confident and defiant Murray instantly sought to change the tides. He scored nine of Canada's first 11 points in the fourth as they quickly flipped the deficit into a three-point lead.

From thereon, it was a tense and hard-fought affair. Neither team managed a lead of more than five points as the two sides traded baskets.

Team USA, however, had a golden opportunity to escape with victory in regulation. A bucket by Ronald Baker gave the States a three-point edge with just over a minute remaining. However, Murray came right back, crossing up his defender with a slick inside-out dribble move before darting to the basket for a layup.

The Americans answered with yet another basket on the ensuing possession, but again, it was Murray who came through. After forcing a switch off a high pick-and-roll, Murray caught a big in isolation and confidently drained a game-tying triple, thus sending the game into overtime.

Murray overwhelmed the Americans in added time. He scored eight points and set up Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett for another five, accounting for 13 of Canada's 14 points in overtime as they pulled out the thrilling victory before a fervent home crowd.

Murray's impressive performance drew praise from Calipari and Team Canada general manager Steve Nash.

"I couldn't be more proud of Jamal's performance. For someone his age to do what he did shows how good he is and why we wanted him in the worst way to be on this team," Calipari told Brian Swane of the Edmonton Sun.

"He’s ... got such balls and he’s not afraid of he moment," Nash said of Murray "He embraces the moment and that’s why he’s very, very special."

Through four games, Murray is averaging 17 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 25 minutes per contest, while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 45 percent from deep.

Team Canada will face Team Brazil in the gold-medal game on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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