Article content continued

The 6-6 Brooks, who scored 21 points after hitting five-of-five threes in the third quarter, was the top scorer for Canada. Teen phenom R.J. Barrett added 16 points, including a massive first quarter dunk off transition. It was the first game with the senior team for Barrett, who is heading to Duke University this fall and is projected to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft.

“It’s my first men’s game, so I’m a little sore,” he joked as he limped into the post-game presser.

“It’s a lot faster, the guys are a lot more experienced, everybody’s stronger, you have to make decisions quicker, you just have to adjust. It’s a different experience, but it’s a lot of fun.”

China was led by shooting Qian Wu, who hit a seven three-pointers to finish with a game-high 27 points. The two teams meet in the second game in this friendly series on Sunday in Victoria.

B.C.’s Kelly Olynyk only played five minutes in the first half, hitting his one shot, a deep three in the first two minutes of the game. He had another five minutes to start the third quarter, and finished with four points and two rebounds.

Canada broke the game open with a 13-4 run in the first, then opened the second quarter with a 12-3 run, putting the home team in cruise mode for the rest of the half.

Canada’s size advantage began to show inside as Boucher began to get the best of China centre Han-Lin Tao. The former Duck went to the line a game-high five times, hitting nine-of-10 free throws, as Canada held a 28-18 advantage in fouls. The game got feisty in the final quarter, with Anthony Bennett getting ejected for shoving a Chinese player who he deemed was a little too aggressive with his defence. Team China coach Feng Du stormed onto the court and was restrained by officials as he shouted at Bennett. Both Bennett, who was a perfect-3-for-3 from behind the arc — and Du were ejected from the game.