Gilgeous-Alexander, Olynyk lead Canada past Argentina in World Cup qualifier in Victoria

Canada's national men's basketball team responded to a solid test in defeating world No. 7 Argentina 99-87 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday night.

Coach Nick Nurse's charges remain undefeated in FIBA 2023 World Cup qualifying play in the Americas group at 7-0. The 18th-ranked Canadians earned a key victory in Group E play which comes a year after a gut-wrenching overtime loss in the B.C. capital to Czechia, the country most commonly known as the Czech Republic, in an Olympic qualifier.

Kamloops, B.C., native Kelly Olynyk, of the NBA's Detroit Pistons, ignited a near-capacity crowd of almost 7,000 as he racked up 21 points. He finished just behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had a team-high 23.

After a strong showing in the first round, Canada is pooled in the second round of World Cup qualifying with Venezuela (5-1), Argentina (5-2), Dominican Republic (4-2), Panama (2-4) and Bahamas (2-4). Canada next travels to Panama for their matchup on Monday.

WATCH l Canada takes down Argentina in Victoria:

On Thursday, Canada got off to a nice start, running up a 28-21 lead after the first quarter. The hosts led 4-0 extremely early before Argentina — specifically Nicolas Laprovittola — started finding its range from the three-point line.

Olynyk, who drew the biggest cheer at introductions, came alive late with a handful of points as the home side grabbed a 21-16 advantage. Kevin Pangos then nailed a baseline jumper and added a three-pointer in the dying seconds of the first quarter for the seven-point lead.

Canada stretched the lead to 45-31 late in the second quarter, courtesy of three-pointers from Kassius Robertson and Melvin Ejim, which sandwiched a tricky