The Canadian Senior Men’s National Team defeated Venezuela 94-56 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers to book its ticket to the 2023 Basketball World Cup. 

Canada was dominant in the victory that moved the team to a perfect 9-0 in qualifying as they remain the lone undefeated team in the Americas. 

Kassius Robertson was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor for his game-high 16 points in 18 minutes to lead six Canadians in double figures. Owen Klassen had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double while Kenny Chery had 12 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists and two steals and Conor Morgan and Thomas Scrubb added 12 points apiece in the victory. 

The Canadians shot 51 per cent from the floor and connected on 14-of-31 three-pointers (45 percent), while holding Venezuela to just 34 per cent shooting from the floor, including 6-for-21 from beyond the arc (29 per cent). Canada won the rebounding battle 54-36, including a 20-10 advantage on the offensive glass while 11 different players scored and held a 54-28 edge in bench points scored. 

Canada got off to a quick start in the game and never looked back. After building a 7-0 lead before Venezuela scored its first basket of the game, Canada continued to build on its lead as a three from T. Scrubb gave Canada a 12-3 advantage. 

Another three-pointer, this one from Aaron Best, extended the lead to double digits with 4:28 remaining in the quarter. After a quick five-point flurry for Robertson, Canada held a 25-10 lead after the opening 10 minutes. 

Venezuela opened the second quarter strong, keeping pace with Canada until a three-pointer from Kenny Chery extended Canada’s lead back to 13 points with 2:42 remaining in the half. After a jumper from Venezuela’s Windi Graterol, Klassen scored on an offensive putback and then Phil Scrubb drilled a three to force Venezuela into a timeout as they trailed by 16 with 1:06 remaining in the half. 

The Canadians held a 15-point lead, 46-31, at the break thanks to a 10-point first half from T. Scrubb and six assists to zero turnovers from Kenny Chery.  As good as Canada was in the first half, it was even better, on both ends of the floor, in the second. 

A layup for P. Scrubb opened the second-half scoring to increase Canada’s lead to 17 before Yohanner Sifontes came back with a layup of his own for Venezuela. A layup for P. Scrubb opened the second-half scoring to increase Canada’s lead to 17 before Yohanner Sifontes came back with a layup of his own for Venezuela. 

Next up it was Robertson hitting a pull-up jumper, and then, eight seconds later, drilling a three while being fouled. After he completed the four-point play, a layup from Klassen had Canada leading 64-38 as Venezuela called timeout with 4:01 remaining in the third. 

After a three-pointer for Conor Morgan and then a three-point play for Trae Bell-Haynes, Canada led 70-42 heading into the final quarter. 

Klassen opened the fourth quarter with a three-point play as Canada continued to roll through the fourth quarter en route to victory. 

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