Friday night in Dallas, Montreal native and Baylor Bears starting point guard Kenny Chery enjoyed a coming out party on national television across the United States.

Kenny Chery led his Baylor Bears to a resounding victory over the Kentucky Wildcats

Aired on ESPN Chery was DOMINANT, especially when it mattered most, late in the fourth quarter.

Chery scored 18 points, including six late as No. 20 Baylor bullied No. 3 Kentucky 67-62 on Friday evening in the same arena where the Final Four will be played in April. Baylor outscored Kentucky in the paint 38-26 and out rebounded the Wildcats 41-25. Bears are 8-1 for the 6th time in the last 7 years. 4-0 this season in games decided by 5 points or less, some significant strides from 2012-13 where the Bears went 2-8 in that same scenario.

Chery (18) reached double figures for the 6th time in his first 9 games with the program. It marked the third time this season that Chery has led the Bears in scoring, and Baylor is 3-0 in those games.

A former Juco star who transferred last minute to Baylor in August also added 5 assists. On the year he is averaging 11.6 points and 4.9 assists. Along side Chery is fellow Canadian and SMNT member Brady Heslip. Heslip is averaging 11.6 but finished with a goose egg in 21 minutes shooting 0-for-2.

More important then individual stats, so far this fall Baylor has become a force to be reckoned with. Resume now includes W’s over previously ranked programs Colorado, Dayton, & Kentucky. Only Bears defeat was a 7 point loss to Syracuse. Not bad for early December.

“I just wanted to make sure that no body was turning the ball over. I was going to be a point guard, just be a general … put guys in the right position so they are able to put the ball inside and put the ball outside. We just stayed focused as a team and we didn’t have as many turnovers today as we did against Syracuse, and that’s why we ended up with the win.” Chery explained when asked about him stepping up and taking control.

Fridays game was a part of the inaugural Big 12-SEC Challenge, and it marks the third-straight year that UK and BU have met up. Prior to last nights game, Kentucky won an Elite Eight matchup March 25, 2012, and Baylor snapped the Wildcats 55 game home win streak at Rupp Arena Dec. 1, 2012.

It was a great night for Canada basketball even despite foolish tweets from some Francophone media. For example RDS self proclaimed insider Pete Yannopoulos spoken like a true separatist (Quebec folks nearly voted to separate from Canada in 1995) wanted folks to know Chery was a francophone instead of simply being content for yet another Canadian baller making noise in the NCAA.

We love Canadian basketball on just about our everything. If your putting in work your going to get recognized. For example if Hernst Laroche can get himself out of Ukraine into a more elite league you bet Hoops Hype Canada will spread the word.

Baylor Bears huddle in dying stages of Friday evenings victory.

Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver who cares? Even a hoop head from Nunuvat. Hopefully one day Pete will realize were all in this together.