Canadian men clinch berth at FIBA World Cup with dominant victory over Venezuela

Canada is going to the FIBA World Cup.

Kassius Robertson's 16-point performance helped Canada's men's basketball team beat Venezuela 94-56 on Thursday to clinch a berth in next summer's major international tournament.

The win improved Canada's record to 9-0 in Americas zone qualifying. The Venezuelans fall to 7-2.

Owen Klassen had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Canada (9-0), while Kenny Chery had 12 points and six assists.

Canada absolutely dominated Venezuela on the glass, out-rebounding the visitors 54-26. The Venezuelans could not get offensive boards to stretch possessions, getting just five second-chance points on the night.

Jhornan Zamora led Venezuela (7-2) with 14 points and three rebounds.

WATCH | Canada beats Venezuela to claim spot at FIBA World Cup:

Canada came out hard early in the first quarter and pressed the Venezuelans, who just got off a plane a couple of hours before the game. The start time was pushed back 25 minutes because of the Venezuelan team's late arrival.

With Canada putting high pressure on the ball, and often double-teaming the player on the dribble, the Venezuelans missed their first six shots. Of their first eight attempts, three were air balls. It took almost four minutes for the Venezuelans to hit a shot, a Zamora three-pointer.

A towering block by Klassen, stuffing a Windi Graterol layup attempt, brought the crowd in Edmonton to its feet. Canada finished the first quarter up 25-10.

Venezuela went on a nine-point run in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to 10 points, but it was as close as they got.

Canada stretched the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Venezuela 24-11 in the frame. If there was any life left in the visitors, it was taken out of them by Robertson, who hit a